Scabies
What is Scabies ?
Scabies is an allergic response to the excreta and saliva of a parasitic mite which burrows under the skin.
Site of infection
These burrows occur anywhere but are more common on hands (finger webs), inner wrists, elbow creases, under the armpits, and around the umbilicus, the nipples in adult females and the genitalia in men.
Signs of infection
Allergens from the mites produce an exceedingly small itchy, red rash. Itching of the rash is intense, more so at night and during or following a bath. There may be small, raised pimples and patches of crusty skin. The sites of the rash may not correspond to the sites of the mites. Not everybody will have sensitivity to the mite, and so not everybody develops a rash.
Transmission of scabies
Transmission is by direct, prolonged skin to skin contact—usually by holding hands. Mites never leave the body the warm and moist conditions are favourable and the mites are unable to survive without them so cannot exist solely in the environment as they die if they are not kept warm and moist.
Treatment of scabies
A number of creams/lotions are available—ask your family doctor or local pharmacist.
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A hot bath is NOT necessary before treatment as the skin must be dry and cool before cream is applied.
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Apply the recommended cream gently over the skin to cover the whole body from the hair line to the toes. Babies under 2 years of age, the infirm and resistant cases should have the scalp and face treated as well, sparing the skin around the eyes, nose and mouth.
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The application should be carried out at night, before going to bed.
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It is important to apply the cream to cover all skin in the webs between the fingers and toes and buttocks and to the groin and genital area.
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Cut the finger nails short, scrub them clean then brush the lotion or cream under the nails.
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The cream must be reapplied to the hands after hand washing.
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The day after treatment, a bath should be taken to remove traces of the cream.
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Itching may persist for two to three weeks after the successful treatment, but it can be treated with a soothing lotion like calamine.
Breaking the chain of transmission
Since the symptoms of scabies take several weeks to appear, it is easy for close contacts (household and sexual) to become infected before the disease is suspected. Therefore, anyone who is in close contact with the first patient should also be treated in case they too pass it on to someone else.
These contacts will need treatment whether they are itching or not.
24 hours after treatment has been undertaken, the patient may return to work, school or nursery.
No special precautions need to be taken with used clothing and bed linen—hot cycle in a washing machine is sufficient.
What about going to school and work ?
You can return to school or work once treatment has been completed.
FURTHER INFORMATION
This page gives general information.
If you require further details, please contact :
Kennet District Council Environmental Health Tel : 01380 724911
Wiltshire Health Protection Agency Tel : 01380 732599
Your GP