To prevent getting scabies in the first place, try to avoid direct contact with somebody who's infested. Be wary of using public areas such as tanning booths unless you're sure that they've been disinfected.
A one-time application of permethrin cream or lotion to the skin is usually effective in curing scabies, but a second application is recommended after a week to ensure all mites are killed. The whole body has to be cleaned (with warm water, not hot) and covered with the cream. Clean clothes should be worn during treatment, which lasts 8 to 14 hours, and then again after the cream has been washed off.
Clothes worn during the 3 days before treatment and any used bed sheets or towels should be washed in hot soapy water and then placed in the dryer on the hot cycle to kill both the mites and their eggs.
Get special instructions from your doctor or pharmacist about how much cream infants or young children need. A small amount of permethrin can be absorbed through the skin, and might come out in breast milk. If you're pregnant or breast-feeding, talk to your doctor about an alternative treatment.
After treatment, the itching won't go away immediately and might last for several weeks. This can be relieved with antihistamines, mild soaps, or prescribed corticosteroid lotions. But if you still feel intense itching after a month, you should see your doctor again as you may need to be retreated.
It's a good idea for everyone living under the same roof to be treated at the same time. This will lessen the chances of reinfection with the scabies mite. Disinfect your home, and wash all clothing and linen in hot water and then dry on a hot cycle. You could also put clothes, linens, toys, or household articles in a sealed plastic bag for a week. The pest will die off and the clothes can be worn again.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2022. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Scabies