Disease
Fact Sheet Series:
What is scabies?
Scabies is a fairly common condition of the
skin caused by a microscopic mite. Mites that cause scabies burrow into
the skin producing pimple-like irritations and severe itching.
Occasionally bacterial infections may occur following intense scratching
at the site of the burrow.
Who gets scabies?
Scabies infestations can affect people from all socioeconomic levels
without regard to age, sex, race or standards of personal hygiene.
Clusters of cases, or outbreaks, are occasionally seen in nursing homes,
day care centers and other institutions.
How is scabies spread?
Mites that cause scabies are transferred by direct skin-to-skin
contact. In severe cases indirect transfer from undergarments or
bedclothes can occur only if these have been contaminated by an infected
person immediately beforehand.
How is scabies diagnosed?
Definitive diagnosis involves demonstrating the presence of the mite
by skin scrapings and microscopic examination of the scraped specimen.
What are the symptoms of scabies?
The most prominent symptom of scabies is intense itching, particularly
at night. The areas of the skin most affected by scabies include the webs
and sides of the fingers, around the wrists, elbows and armpits, waist,
thighs, genitalia, abdomen and lower buttocks. In infants younger than two
years old the symptoms are likely to appear on the head, neck, hands and
feet.
How soon do symptoms appear?
After exposure, symptoms will appear from 2 to 6 weeks in people who
have not previously been exposed to scabies infestations. People who have
had a previous infestation with scabies mites may show symptoms within 1
to 4 days after subsequent re-exposures.
When and for how long is a person able to spread
scabies?
A person is able to spread scabies until mites and eggs are destroyed,
usually after one treatment with an effective anti-scabies medication.
Individuals with scabies should not attend school or daycare, nor enter
their workplace until the day after treatment is initiated. Except in
severe cases, inanimate objects such as clothing, bedding or furniture
does not spread mites that cause scabies.
What is the treatment for scabies?
Medicated lotions applied to the skin or in severe cases, medication
taken by mouth are available through a physician's prescription for the
treatment of scabies. Sometimes itching may persist for one to two weeks
after treatment, but this should not be regarded as treatment failure or
reinfestation. Avoid over treatment with anti-scabies medication.
What can be done to prevent the spread of scabies?
Avoid physical contact with infested individuals and their belongings,
especially clothing and bedding. In severe cases, clothing and bed linen
worn or used by an infested persons in the 48 hours before treatment may
be laundered and dried at the highest temperature or stored in a container
such as a plastic bag for 5 to 7 days to kill mites and their eggs. Use of
environmental pesticides should be avoided. Preventive therapy is
recommended for household members of an infested persons or close contacts
of persons in nursing homes, day care centers or institutions. Health
education on the life cycle of scabies, proper treatment and the need for
early diagnosis and treatment of infested individuals and contacts is
extremely important.
For more information, contact your
Local
Public Health Department
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Last Revised: March 20, 2008
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