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Scabies

Scabies is infestation of skin by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Prolonged skin contact commonly spreads it, and symptoms reflect an immune reaction to mites and their products.

Medicine used to treat Scabies

Ivermectin Tablets

Ivermectin

3 · 6 · 12mg

Generic ivermectin 3mg, 6mg and 12mg tablets for strongyloidiasis, scabies and onchocerciasis, the same ingredient as Stromectol.

From$1.44/ tabletView

Key points

  • Night-time itch, burrows and bumps around finger webs, wrists, waist or genitals are clues, but eczema and other rashes can look similar.
  • Symptoms may begin weeks after first exposure, so people without itch can still be relevant close contacts.
  • Effective management treats the diagnosed person and appropriate contacts together and follows product-specific application instructions.

Catalogue matches do not confirm scabies or indicate that oral antiparasitic treatment is safe.

What affects diagnosis and spread?

Infants, older people and immunocompromised patients may have an atypical distribution. Crusted scabies carries a very high mite burden and is far more contagious. Persistent itch after treatment can reflect post-scabetic inflammation rather than live mites.

How is reinfestation reduced?

Treatment may be topical or, in selected cases, oral ivermectin. Pregnancy, age, weight, crusted disease and treatment failure affect selection. Bedding, clothing and household measures should follow clinical or public-health instructions; excessive pesticide cleaning is unnecessary.

When to seek urgent care

Seek prompt care for widespread crusting, rapidly spreading redness, fever, pus, severe pain or a very unwell infant. Facial swelling or breathing difficulty after treatment needs emergency care.

Further reading

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