Scabies
What are scabies?
If you have heard of scabies, I am sure you’ve heard about how itchy it is! Scabies is an itchy skin rash caused by a skin infestation of microscopic mites called Sarcoptes Scabiei. These mites burrow into the outer layer of human skin and lay eggs.
What are the symptoms of Scabies?
Scabies is an intensely itchy rash. The rash can look like small bumps and blisters on the skin, sometimes seen in a line. In adults and older children, the rash is most often located between the fingers and in skin folds, but they are also found around the wrists and waist, on the chest, and in the groin. In infants and young children, scabies can also appear on the face, scalp, neck, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. The rash can be itchiest at night when the mites are burrowing.
If you have never had scabies before, it can take as long as six weeks for symptoms to appear. During that time, you are contagious and spreading scabies even before having symptoms. For those who have had scabies before, symptoms will appear a few days after exposure.
How does Scabies spread?
Scabies is very contagious and spreads through skin to skin contact with a person who has scabies. Therefore, it can spread easily in families, child-care facilities, school classrooms, and nursing homes.
Can I get scabies from my pet?
No, you cannot. Animals do not spread human scabies.
When should you go to your pediatrician?
Schedule an appointment with your pediatrician if you are having the symptoms described above. Many rashes can have similar symptoms, but early detection of scabies is important for treatment to stop the spread.
How is scabies treated?
The good news is that scabies is highly treatable! Scabies treatment is a prescription cream or pill. There are no over the counter treatments that will kill the mites and eggs. The medicated cream is applied to the entire body and left on for 8-14 hours. Sometimes multiple applications are needed to ensure hatching eggs are killed. Since scabies spread quickly, your health care provider may recommend treatment for the entire family, even if they are not having symptoms.
How can scabies be prevented?
It is hard to prevent the spread of scabies because people often do not know they have it until symptoms appear. However, to prevent reinfection and to keep the mites from spreading to other people within your household, you can:
- Wash clothing, bedding, or towels that were used in the three days prior to treatment in hot soapy water and dry items on high heat. The mites and eggs cannot survive temperatures over 122oF for over 10 minutes.
- Seal items that cannot be washed in plastic bags for 1 week. Scabies mites cannot survive for more than 48-72 hours off of human skin.
- Vacuum furniture and rugs.
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