Treatment for Scabies

Scabies is a contagious and itchy skin infection caused by a burrowing mite. Contrary to popular belief scabies can occur in even the cleanest environments and is common in daycare centers and nursing homes. Scabies is known to people all across the globe, in both developed and developing countries.

Cause

• Scabies is caused by a mite that digs a hole through the skin then crawls underneath. The skin then has an allergic reaction to this mite and begins to itch intensely.

Types

• Regular Scabies: A skin disease caused by microscopic parasitic mites called Sarcoptes scabiei.
  Norwegian Scabies: A severe form of regular scabies.
  Canine Scabies: A form of scabies found most often in dogs also known as sarcoptic mange caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei canis mite.
  Feline Scabies: A form of scabies found in cats also known as notoedric mange caused by the Notoedres cati mite.

Diagnosis

• A doctor can examine the skin for the appearance of a rash and the presence of burrows. The doctor can obtain a skin scraping to examine under a microscope to search for the presence of mites, eggs or mite fecal matter. The doctor can also remove a mite with the tip of a needle to examine it and make a diagnosis.

Treatment

• Scabicides are prescription lotions and creams used to kill scabies mites. All clothing, bedding and towels should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot drier, dry cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for 72 hours. Skin sores from scabies may develop a secondary bacterial infection, which should be treated with a prescription antibiotic. Canine and feline scabies have many treatment options. The veterinarian may recommend any combination of shampoos, dips, moisturizing conditioners, antiseptics and/or pills.

Prevention/Control

• Avoid direct skin-to-skin contact. Treat all members of the household. All clothing, bedding and towels that have come in contact with the infected person should be washed, dried, dry cleaned or stored in a sealed plastic bag for a minimum of 3 days.