Download Facts of Scabies

Facts of Scabies
What is Scabies?
 Scabies is a skin disease that can be spread from person to person.
 A small insect or mite known as S. scabiei var. hominis causes scabies.
 The mite is about the size of a pinhead and can live only 2-3 days at room
temperature.
 The mite burrows into the outer layer of the skin and lays eggs, which hatch in 35 days.
 The newly formed mites leave the burrow and move to other skin surfaces and
repeat the cycle.
What are the Common Symptoms of Scabies?
 The most common symptoms are severe itching and grayish-white lines of tracks
that zigzag on the skin surface.
 Areas of the body most commonly affected are the sides of the fingers, webs
between the fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, buttocks, knees and feet.
 A person never before infested with scabies may not develop symptoms for a
month or more.
 A previously infested person will develop symptoms within 24 hours.
 The intense itching, which is most severe at night, is caused by a local allergic
reaction.
 There may be signs of skin infection like redness, swelling, or pus, caused by
scratching around the burrows.
How Long will it Last?
 The mite should be completely eliminated after one course of treatment.
 Itching may continue after treatment, but should subside gradually over a 2-week
period.
What is the Treatment?
 Take a warm, soapy bath or shower to remove scales from the skin
 Thoroughly dry skin and allow it to cool because warm skin may absorb the
scabicide and cause central nervous system damage
 Apply a scabicide form the neck to the toes; do not apply it to inflamed or
weeping skin, the scalp or face.
 Follow directions on the product for how long to leave the medication on, usually
8-12 hours
 Take a tepid bath or shower to remove the medication
 Treat people who’ve had close contact with the person at the same time
 Use a prescribed topical ointment to ease itching, which can continue for weeks
after treatment
 Warn sleeping partners of possible infestation.
Management of Scabies Epidemic in an Extended Care Facility
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Maintain high index of suspicion. Keep staff knowledgeable and vigilant.
Be aware of atypical distribution and lesions.
Avoid empiric treatment.
Examine entire body of all suspected clients and contacts carefully in good light
with a hand held magnifying lens.
Perform diagnostic tests; i.e., burrow ink tests, multiple scabies preparations, or
biopsy if necessary.
Notify and educate clients, staff, family, and frequent visitors about scabies and
the need for cooperation in treatment.
Simultaneously apply scabicide to all clients, staff, contact staff, and frequent
visitors, symptomatic or not. Also treat symptomatic family members of staff and
visitors.
Launder all bedding and clothes worn in the last 38 hours in hot water (or dry
clean) and do not use again for 3 days.
Clean beds and floors with routine cleaning agents just before scabicide is
removed from clients.
Re-examine and treat again if necessary in 1 week.
Follow-up inspection in 4 weeks.