Vorwick Scabies
Content
Recommended reading: Interventions for treating scabies
Scabies is a parasitic infection of the skin. It occurs throughout the world, but is particularly problematic in areas of poor
sanitation, overcrowding, and social disruption, and is endemic in many resource‐poor countries. The global prevalence of
scabies is estimated at 300 million cases, but the level of infection varies between countries and communities. The female
mite burrows into the skin t... more
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia.
Scabies
Sarcoptes scabiei
Last reviewed: January 23, 2014.
Scabies is an easily spread skin disease caused by a very small type of mite.
Causes
Scabies is found among people of all groups and ages around the world.
Scabies spread by skin-to-skin contact with another person who has scabies.
Less often it can be spread by sharing clothes or bedding. Sometimes whole families are
affected.
Outbreaks of scabies are more common in nursing homes, nursing facilities, college dorms, and child
care centers.
The mites that cause scabies burrow into the skin and lay their eggs. This forms a burrow that looks like a
pencil mark. Eggs hatch in 21 days. The itchy rash is an allergic response to the mite.
Pets and animals cannot spread human scabies. It is also not very likely for scabies to be spread by:
A swimming pool
Contact with the towels, bedding, and clothing of someone who has scabies, unless the person
has what is called "crusted scabies"
Symptoms
Itching, most commonly at night
Rashes, mostly between the fingers
Sores (abrasions) on the skin from scratching and digging
Thin, pencil-mark lines on the skin
Mites may be more widespread on a baby's skin, causing pimples over the trunk, or small blisters over
the palms and soles.
In young children, the infection may be on the head, neck, shoulders, palms, and soles of feet.
In older children and adults, the infection may be on the hands, wrists, genitals, and abdomen.
Exams and Tests
The doctor will examine your skin for signs of scabies. The doctor will look at scrapings taken from a
burrow to look for the mites. Askin biopsy can also be done.
Treatment
HOME CARE
Before treatment, wash underwear, towels, and sleepwear in hot water. Items that cannot be
washed or dry-cleaned can be decontaminated by removing from any body contact for at least
72 hours.
Vacuum the carpets and upholstered furniture.
Use calamine lotion and soak in a cool bath to ease itching.
Take an oral antihistamine if your doctor recommends it for very bad itching.
MEDICINES FROM YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
The whole family or sexual partners of infected people should be treated, even if they do not have
symptoms.
Creams prescribed by your health care provider are needed to treat scabies.
The cream most often used is permethrin 5%.
Other creams include benzyl benzoate, sulfur in petrolatum, and crotamiton.
Lindane is rarely used because of its side effects.
Apply the medicine all over your body. Creams may be used as a one-time treatment tor they may be
repeated in 1 week.
For hard to treat cases, your health care provider may also prescribe a pill known as Ivermectin.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Itching may continue for 2 weeks or more after treatment begins. It will disappear if you follow your health
care provider's treatment plan.
Most cases of scabies can be cured without any long-term problems. A severe case with a lot of scaling or
crusting may be a sign that the person has a disease such as HIV.
Possible Complications
Intense scratching can cause a secondary skin infection, such as impetigo.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if:
You have symptoms of scabies
A person you have been in close contact with has been diagnosed with scabies
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Scabies Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs). Atlanta, Ga; November 2, 2010. [online] Accessed January 23, 2014.
2. Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 15.
3. Diaz JH. Scabies. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's
Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone
Elsevier; 2009:chap 294.
Review Date: 1/23/2014.
Reviewed by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by
VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve,
MD, MHA, David R. Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
Scabies is a parasitic infection of the skin. It occurs throughout the world, but is particularly problematic in areas of poor
sanitation, overcrowding, and social disruption, and is endemic in many resource‐poor countries. The global prevalence of
scabies is estimated at 300 million cases, but the level of infection varies between countries and communities. The female
mite burrows into the skin t... more
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia.
Scabies
Sarcoptes scabiei
Last reviewed: January 23, 2014.
Scabies is an easily spread skin disease caused by a very small type of mite.
Causes
Scabies is found among people of all groups and ages around the world.
Scabies spread by skin-to-skin contact with another person who has scabies.
Less often it can be spread by sharing clothes or bedding. Sometimes whole families are
affected.
Outbreaks of scabies are more common in nursing homes, nursing facilities, college dorms, and child
care centers.
The mites that cause scabies burrow into the skin and lay their eggs. This forms a burrow that looks like a
pencil mark. Eggs hatch in 21 days. The itchy rash is an allergic response to the mite.
Pets and animals cannot spread human scabies. It is also not very likely for scabies to be spread by:
A swimming pool
Contact with the towels, bedding, and clothing of someone who has scabies, unless the person
has what is called "crusted scabies"
Symptoms
Itching, most commonly at night
Rashes, mostly between the fingers
Sores (abrasions) on the skin from scratching and digging
Thin, pencil-mark lines on the skin
Mites may be more widespread on a baby's skin, causing pimples over the trunk, or small blisters over
the palms and soles.
In young children, the infection may be on the head, neck, shoulders, palms, and soles of feet.
In older children and adults, the infection may be on the hands, wrists, genitals, and abdomen.
Exams and Tests
The doctor will examine your skin for signs of scabies. The doctor will look at scrapings taken from a
burrow to look for the mites. Askin biopsy can also be done.
Treatment
HOME CARE
Before treatment, wash underwear, towels, and sleepwear in hot water. Items that cannot be
washed or dry-cleaned can be decontaminated by removing from any body contact for at least
72 hours.
Vacuum the carpets and upholstered furniture.
Use calamine lotion and soak in a cool bath to ease itching.
Take an oral antihistamine if your doctor recommends it for very bad itching.
MEDICINES FROM YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
The whole family or sexual partners of infected people should be treated, even if they do not have
symptoms.
Creams prescribed by your health care provider are needed to treat scabies.
The cream most often used is permethrin 5%.
Other creams include benzyl benzoate, sulfur in petrolatum, and crotamiton.
Lindane is rarely used because of its side effects.
Apply the medicine all over your body. Creams may be used as a one-time treatment tor they may be
repeated in 1 week.
For hard to treat cases, your health care provider may also prescribe a pill known as Ivermectin.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Itching may continue for 2 weeks or more after treatment begins. It will disappear if you follow your health
care provider's treatment plan.
Most cases of scabies can be cured without any long-term problems. A severe case with a lot of scaling or
crusting may be a sign that the person has a disease such as HIV.
Possible Complications
Intense scratching can cause a secondary skin infection, such as impetigo.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if:
You have symptoms of scabies
A person you have been in close contact with has been diagnosed with scabies
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Scabies Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs). Atlanta, Ga; November 2, 2010. [online] Accessed January 23, 2014.
2. Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 15.
3. Diaz JH. Scabies. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's
Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone
Elsevier; 2009:chap 294.
Review Date: 1/23/2014.
Reviewed by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by
VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve,
MD, MHA, David R. Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
