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In brief...

Body itching and rashes that are caused by scabies mites, tiny insect-like creatures (Sarcoptes scabei) burrowing into the skin. Scabies can be caught during unprotected sex or by close skin-to-skin contact. It is easy for us to test for scabies and treat you with a lotion.

 

 

 

What is scabies?

Scabies is a contagious disease caused by a mite, Sarcoptes scabei, which lives just under the top layer of the skin. This mite is transparent and too small to see with the naked eye. Scabies appears all over the world, but is especially common in schools, nursing and residential homes, and amongst the poorer people of the world who are living in cramped and difficult conditions.

 

 

 

Where is the scabies mite found?

Most commonly the mite is found between the fingers and around the wrists, although it may be transferred to other parts of the body through touch. Hence, it is also found on the outside of the elbows and knees, and around the ankles, waist, breasts and genital area. On the very young, elderly and those who are chronically ill, the mites can be found on the ears, face and head.

 

 

 

How can scabies be caught?

Because scabies is contagious, as opposed to infectious, it can only be caught by prolonged skin-to-skin contact with someone who already has the infection e.g by hand holding. The contact must be prolonged, for 10 minutes or more, to give the mites time to transfer on to the new host.

 

 

 

Can I catch it from pets or other animals?

Sarcoptes scabei is host specific, i.e it lives only on humans. Therefore, scabies cannot be caught from pets or other animals. There is a similar disease in animals known as 'mange', but it is caused by a mite that is specific to the animal and cannot be transmitted to humans.

 

 

 

Can scabies be caught from clothing or bed linen?

No, it cannot, the scabies mite needs a humid environment in which to survive. This is provided by the tunnels that it makes just under the skin. The humidity on the surface of the skin is not high enough for the mite to survive any great length of time. Therefore, the mites do not crawl out into clothing or bedclothes, and there is no need to change bed linen daily or boil, disinfect or dispose of bedclothes or clothing.

 

 

 

How is scabies characterised?

First-time sufferers can carry scabies for up to six weeks before showing any sort of reaction to it. Those who have had it before will react immediately. Once there is a reaction, the patient will develop an intense itchy rash which is worse at night and when the body is warm. For small children and babies this might be when they have been running about, or if they have a sleep during the day. Due to the irritation caused by the rash the patient will often have long scratch marks on their body and limbs.

 

The rash is an allergic reaction of the body to the mite, its waste products and the eggs deposited by the mite as it burrows under the skin. Therefore, the rash does not directly correspond with the location of the mites. It is always bilaterally symmetrical, it is found equally on both sides of the body. It does not appear in the centre of the back or chest.

 

 

 

What is the treatment for scabies?

The treatment is usually a cream, such as Lyclear Dermal Cream (Trade Mark), or a lotion like Derbac M (Trade Mark) or Quellada M (Trade Mark). All treatments contain an acaricide, which is a substance that kills mites. The lotion or cream should be applied to cool, dry skin. It is not necessary to take a hot bath or scrub the body beforehand. Such action can result in the treatment being absorbed into the bloodstream too quickly and being made harmless before the mites are affected.

 

 

 

How is the treatment applied?

The cream or lotion should be applied all over the body, including to the palms of hands, soles of feet, under finger and toenails, around the pubic area and in the tummy button. For those aged under two years old, the elderly and those with long-term illnesses, it is recommended that the face, scalp, neck and ears should also be treated whilst being careful to protect the eyes and mouth. It will take two people to ensure the whole body is adequately covered.

 

The lotion or cream should be allowed to dry before getting dressed.
It should be reapplied after washing hands or other areas, e.g after nappy changing, during the treatment time. To prevent small children and babies sucking the treatment from their hands mittens can be worn.

 

After the treatment has been on for the required time it should be washed off with clear water. Treatments should be repeated as directed, usually after 4 – 7 days.

 

 

 

Who else should be treated?

It is important that close and intimate contacts should receive treatment, even though they might not yet show signs of having scabies. This should include family members, close friends and lovers.

 

 

 

 

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