Scabies

Scabies is a skin condition caused by a mite (like a tiny insect) called Sarcoptes scabiei. The female mites tunnel into the skin and lay eggs. The eggs hatch into mites after a few days. Most of the symptoms are due to a skin reaction to the mites. Scabies is common. In the UK, about 1 in 1,000 people develop scabies each month.

  

Scabies is usually diagnosed by the typical symptoms and skin rash described above. Often, a doctor will find one or more mite burrows on the skin to confirm the diagnosis. It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the rash caused by scabies and some other skin conditions. Therefore, a scraping from the skin is sometimes sent to the lab to look for mites under the microscope if there is doubt about the diagnosis.

If itching and a rash develop in several people who live in the same home at about the same time then scabies is a likely cause.

 

Scabies is curable. The usual treatment is with permethrin 5% dermal cream (Lyclear Dermal Cream). Permethrin is an insecticide that kills the mites. If permethrin cannot be used, an alternative is to use a lotion called malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid. (For example, some people may be allergic to permethrin.) You can buy both of these products from pharmacies. You can also get them on prescription. They are easy to apply and normally work well if used properly. Re-apply the same treatment seven days after the first application. This helps to make sure that all the mites are killed.