What scabies treatments are available?

Treating Scabies

You can treat scabies in several different ways:

Topical "pesticide" applications, systemic "tablet" doses which have the advantage of ensured total coverage, and the least toxic treatment to cure scabies is 10% sulfur ointment, a cost-effective treatment with the least long-term side-effects.

Topical medications for scabies

Topical (surface) medications are often effective and must be applied thoroughly to all skin from the face down, especially to areas known to be primarily affected (skin folds, etc.). The topical medication of choice is 5% permethrin because it is safe for all age groups: it should be applied for eight to twelve hours (overnight is the most convenient) then washed off.

Although the mites are rapidly killed by treatment, itching can last for up to four weeks after treatment.

Treating your home for scabies

A person can be reinfected with scabies: all household contacts must be treated simultaneously, even if asymptomatic.

Without a host, scabies mites survive for a few hours in the environment (the mites rapidly dry out). Therefore it is recommended, after treatment, to wash all material (such as clothes and bedding) that has been in prolonged contact with the infested in the last four days.

Approximately 300 million cases of infestation with scabies occur worldwide annually.

Dog Scabies

Scabies also occurs in dogs. Dog mites can easily be transferred to humans. Although mites that infect dogs are not able to complete their life cycle on humans, they will cause quite a bit of itching before they finally die. Dogs with mange should be treated to avoid continuously re-infecting humans.

Bird mites have also be noted to cause a similar disease.

What to expect from scabies treatment

After treatment has been applied or taken, (or directly before treatment if you are careful and wear gloves) cleaning of environment should occur. The key is timing. All household members should be treated at the same time and cleaning must be thorough and simultaneous.

Expect increased itching and red bumps for the first week after taking any medication for scabies. The dead mites remain in the skin for 30 days. They are removed with the body's natural shedding process. During those 30 days expect new bumps and itching before you get rid of scabies completely.