Care Plan
First steps to consider
- See a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of scabies, which include intense itching and a pimple-like rash.
- Scabies is treated with prescription medication.
Symptom relief
- Itching can be treated with OTC allergy pills and anti-itch creams like calamine lotion.
What is scabies?
Scabies is a highly contagious infestation by the human itch mite. This microscopic mite burrows into your skin and causes an extremely itchy rash. The rash typically appears as small pink red bumps in between the fingers, on the wrists, and around the belly button.
Symptoms
- Extremely itchy pink red bumps
- Often occurs around the belly button, between fingers, and around the wrist
- Itch may last longer than the rash
Treatment
If you think you have scabies, see a dermatologist. It is treated with a topical anti-parasite medication called permethrin or an oral anti-parasite medication called ivermectin. These kill the mites and their eggs.
Your doctor may prescribe topical steroids to help with itching. The itch can last for several weeks after the mite has been treated (called post-scabetic dermatitis).
Because scabies is so contagious, wash all of your clothing and linens in hot water. Anyone you live with also needs treatment, as people can be carriers of scabies without having symptoms.
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