What is scabies?
Scabies is a skin disease caused by a tiny insect called an "itch mite" which burrows itself under the skin to lay its eggs. Scabies causes severe itching and is often called the "itch".
What does scabies look like?
Scabies appear as small, red slightly raised spots or streaks commonly found between fingers, on wrists or belt lines and in the folds of the skin, but may appear anywhere on the body.
How do you get rid of scabies?
- Don't try to diagnose scabies by yourself. See a doctor to get a lotion or cream.
- Follow the directions on the bottle carefully because the lotion or cream contains poison.
- If you have scabs or crusts from scratching, have a bath or shower first; this will soften them and let the medicine get where it needs to go. Wait 15 minutes until the skin is cool and dry before applying the lotion or cream.
- Cover your entire body from the neck down with the lotion or cream. Mites like to live in warm, moist areas between fingers and toes, in the belly button, armpits and the skin around the waist and genital area, so pay special attention to these areas when applying the lotion or cream.
- Dress in clean clothes.
- Leave the lotion or cream on for eight to 12 hours. (overnight is a good time).
- Then take a bath or shower with warm water (not hot!) and wash well. Put on clean clothes.
- See the doctor in about seven days. If you need another treatment, you will be told at that time.
What should I do with my clothing and linens?
- The mite that causes scabies can live in clothing and bed linen for up to one week. You can treat linen and clothes in one of the ways below:
- Using hot water, wash all clothing, bed linens, towels and wash clothes that have been used or worn within one week before the treatment.
- Clothes, blankets, etc. can be put in the dryer at the highest heat for 15 minutes.
- Put all clothes and linen used in a bag and leave for one week.
Why is it important to treat scabies?
- To stop the itching because scratching can lead to other infections.
- So you don't pass scabies on to other people.
For more information contact your health region's public health office.
See HealthLine Online for more about scabies.
