How to Treat Scabies

Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow under your skin to lay their eggs, which then hatch in about two weeks. The most common symptom is itching, and your skin may become reddened, dry and scaly. Scabies is very contagious.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Laundry Detergents
• Garbage Bags

1. Treat the body with an insecticide lotion. They are available over the counter or by prescription. Cover the entire body with lotion, from neck to toes. Leave it on for several hours before showering.
2. Use a product that contains 5 percent permethrin.
3. Treat all members of your household. Chances are, they've been infected.
4. Launder all clothing worn before treatment in hot water. Dry it in a hot dryer.
5. Wash all linens and towels used before treatment in hot water. Dry them in a hot dryer. Dry-clean items that cannot be machine washed.
6. Put non-machine-washable quilts and blankets inside a large trash bag and seal it tightly. Leave it sealed for two weeks. The scabies mites will die without a human host.
7. Freeze items for 24 hours. This will also kill scabies.
8. Wash all toys that were handled during the time your child was infected.

Tips & Warnings

• Scabies is spread from intimate contact, even though it is not considered an STD. If you have scabies and are sexually active, alert your partner so that he or she can be treated.
• Scabies is often spread by sharing the same bed, towels and clothing.
• Itching may continue for several weeks after treatment. In most cases, it stops soon after treatment begins. Four hours after treatment, a person is no longer infectious.
• Avoid lotions containing lindane. These include products named GBH, Gamene and Kwell. Check with your pharmacist to make sure your prescription is not for a lindane-based product. The National Pediculosis Association strongly advises against using lindane, which has been associated with a number of serious medical conditions, including cancer and seizures.