Download Infection Control Service Scabies

Infection Control Service
Scabies
Introduction
This leaflet provides information on commonly asked questions about Scabies
What is scabies?
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites (parasites) called Sarcoptes scaibei.
These mites burrow into the skin, then breed and lay their eggs, causing a rash and intense itchiness.
Scabies is spread to others through close skin-to-skin contact and is easily treated with an insecticide
lotion applied to the skin.
How do you get scabies?
You need close skin-to-skin contact to catch scabies. The scabies mite cannot jump or fly. The skin-toskin contact needs to be for a reasonable time and you are unlikely to catch scabies by casual short
contact such as a handshake or a hug.
What are the symptoms?
The mites are not visible to the eye but evidence of scabies infestation may be seen on the skin as fine,
dark silvery lines about 2-10mm long. This most commonly occurs on the skin between the fingers, the
inner surface of the wrists and hands, around the waist and buttocks.
Itching is often severe and tends to be in one place at first (often hands) and then spreads to other
areas. The itch is generally worse at night. A rash usually appears soon after the itching has started. It
is typically a blotchy, lumpy rash that can appear anywhere on the body that is infested with the
scabies mite.
Scratching is due to intense itching and can cause minor skin damage. In some cases the damaged
skin becomes infected by bacteria – a secondary skin infection. Scabies can aggravate existing skin
conditions particularly itchy skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. The itch and rash normally
takes 2 – 6 weeks to develop
How is scabies diagnosed?
Scabies tends to be diagnosed clinically and this is based on the symptoms and typical appearance of
the rash.
Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between the scabies rash and other skin conditions,
therefore, a scraping from the skin is sometimes sent to the laboratory to look for mites under a
microscope.
Treatment of scabies
Scabies is not a serious condition, but the intense itching can be unpleasant and have an adverse
effect on the quality of life. It can be successfully treated using an insecticidal cream. It is easy to
apply and works well if used correctly.
The treatment can be obtained from your pharmacist or on prescription from your doctor
Who should be treated?
Scabies will persist indefinitely if not treated.
All household members, close contacts, sleeping/sexual partners of the affected person – even if they
have no symptoms should be treated. This is because it can take up to six weeks to develop
symptoms – therefore close contacts may be infected, but have no symptoms and may pass on the
mite.
It may take up to two to three weeks for the itching to go completely after completing the treatment.
This can be relieved by calamine lotion or your doctor or pharmacist can advise on creams or antihistamines to reduce this irritation.
Read the leaflet carefully that comes with the treatment for exact instructions on where to apply.
Clothes, towels and bed linen should be machine washed at 50 degrees centigrade or above after the
first application of treatment. This will destroy the scabies mite.
All items that cannot be washed – place in plastic bag for at least 72 hours to contain the mites until
they are destroyed (cannot live longer than 72 hours if not in contact with the skin).
Alternative options to destroy mites on clothes and linen are: ironing with hot iron, dry cleaning or
tumble dryer on hot cycle for 10-30 minutes.
See a doctor if the itch persists longer than 3 weeks after treatment
The most common reasons why treatment fails and scabies recurs are;


The cream or lotion is not applied correctly for the recommended time.
A close contact is not treated at the same time and the infection is passed back.
How to contact us
If you have further questions about Scabies or Healthcare Associated Infections, please contact the
infection control service on:
Telephone: 01268 244649
Email:[email protected]
If you would like this information in Braille, large type, in another format or
in another language, please ask a member staff.