Download Scabies - Frequently Asked Questions

Scabies
FAQ
What is Scabies?
Scabies is a skin infection caused by a small parasite
called a mite.
 Scabies is spread by direct skin to-skin contact with
an infected person. Scabies mites can live off the body for 24-36
hours.
 It can be spread by sharing bedding, clothes or towels with an
infected person.

How Do I KnowI Have Scabies?
 You will see tiny grey or flesh-coloured “burrows”
just under the skin surface.
 You will not have any symptoms for 2-6 weeks after
infection. Then you will experience.

Severe itching, especially at night or after bathing;
A red rash between the fingers, inside of the wrists, elbows, armpits,
breasts, genitals (private parts), the abdomen (around the waist)
Scabies
FAQ
How Do I Get Rid ofScabies?

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See your Public Health Nurse or
Healthcare Provider for treatment.
Apply Nix 5% cream
(permethrin) to affected areas from the neck down according to
package directions. Wash it off in 12 hours.
Treat
time.
all
household contacts & sexual partner(s) at the same
Stay home from school or work until the day after treatment.·
Itching will last for up to 2 weeks.
o Do not scratch as it may lead to other skin infections.
o Skin Infections - Frequently Asked Questions

Repeat the treatment in 7-10 days.
o After treatment, you can no longer spread the infection.

Treatment may temporarily worsen the itching, swelling and
redness of the skin.
o You may be itchy for 1—2 weeks after treatment.
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Wash and dry contaminated clothing and bed linen in hot cycles.
Place items that cannot be washed in a tied plastic bag for seven
days or outside for 24 hours in freezing temperatures.
Vacuum upholstered furniture.