Scabies : Scabies is a condition of very itchy skin caused by tiny mites that burrow into your skin.
SCABIES FACTS
• Scabies is an itchy, highly contagious skin condition caused by an infestation by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei.
• Direct skin-to-skin contact is the mode of transmission.
• A severe and relentless itch is the predominant symptom of scabies.
• Sexual contact is the most common form of transmission among sexually active young people, and scabies has been considered by many to be asexually transmitted disease (STD).
• Scabies produces a skin rashcomposed of small red bumps and blisters and affects specific areas of the body.
• Treatment includes oral or topical scabicidal drugs
SYMPTOMS
Scabies causes severe itching that is usually worse at night and a rash with tiny blisters or sores. Small children and older adults tend to have the worst itching. Children typically have worse skin reactions.
If this is the first time you have had scabies, it may be several weeks before you have itching and skin sores.
MEDICATION
Prescription medicines used to treat scabies include:
• Permethrin cream 5% (Elimite), a standard first treatment for scabies. It usually cures scabies infestation after the first application.
• Ivermectin, which comes as pills. In the United States, treating scabies with ivermectin is an unlabeled use of the medicine. Ivermectin does not work as well as permethrin but is effective against scabies mites.
• Lindane 1%, which must be used exactly as directed to avoid dangerous side effects. Lindane is only used if your scabies persists after trying other medicines or you are unable to use other treatments.4
• Sulfur ointment (precipitated sulfur) 5% to 10%, a milder and less effective medicine than permethrin or lindane, is sometimes used to treat infants andpregnant or breast-feeding women.
• Crotamiton 10% (Eurax), which is not often used to treat scabies because it does not dependably kill all the mites and their eggs.