What can I buy for scabies?

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What can I buy for scabies? The primary treatments available for scabies are prescription topical creams and lotions containing permethrin or ivermectin, aimed at killing the mites and alleviating symptoms. Over-the-counter remedies may offer temporary relief from itching, but consulting a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and prescription is crucial.

Understanding Scabies: A Deep Dive

Scabies is an intensely itchy skin condition caused by tiny, eight-legged mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin where they live and lay eggs. The itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the mites, their eggs, and their waste.

Scabies is highly contagious and spreads through prolonged, direct skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. It can also spread less commonly through sharing items like clothing, bedding, or towels that have been used by someone with scabies.

Diagnosis: Identifying Scabies

It’s crucial to get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional before starting any treatment. Misdiagnosing scabies can lead to ineffective treatment and prolonged discomfort. Doctors typically diagnose scabies through a skin examination, looking for the characteristic burrows. They may also take a skin scraping to examine under a microscope for mites or eggs. The tell-tale sign includes intense itching, especially at night, and the appearance of small, raised bumps or blisters, often found in skin folds such as between the fingers, in the armpits, around the wrists, and in the groin area.

Prescription Treatments: The Gold Standard

The most effective treatments for scabies are prescription medications designed to kill the mites.

Permethrin Cream (5%): This is often the first-line treatment. It’s applied to the entire body from the neck down, left on for 8-14 hours, and then washed off. One or two applications, one week apart, are typically required. Permethrin is generally safe for adults, children, and pregnant women.
Ivermectin Lotion or Tablets: Ivermectin is available as a topical lotion or oral tablets. Oral ivermectin is usually prescribed for those who don’t respond to permethrin, have crusted scabies, or have weakened immune systems. Ivermectin is generally not recommended for pregnant women or children weighing less than 33 pounds.

Your doctor will determine the most suitable treatment based on your individual circumstances, including your age, overall health, and the severity of the infection. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and complete the entire course of treatment to ensure that the mites are eradicated.

Over-the-Counter Relief: Managing Symptoms

While over-the-counter (OTC) remedies won’t kill the scabies mites, they can help alleviate the intense itching associated with the condition. It’s vital to remember that OTC treatments should be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, prescription medications.

Calamine Lotion: Calamine lotion has soothing properties and can help relieve itching and skin irritation.
Antihistamines: Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin), can help reduce itching by blocking histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction. Be cautious with sedating antihistamines like Benadryl, especially in children.
Cool Compresses: Applying cool compresses to the affected areas can provide temporary relief from itching.
Oatmeal Baths: Colloidal oatmeal baths can soothe irritated skin and reduce itching.

Crusted Scabies: A Serious Concern

Crusted scabies (also known as Norwegian scabies) is a severe form of scabies characterized by thick crusts of skin containing a large number of mites. It is highly contagious and is often seen in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, people with HIV/AIDS, or those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.

Crusted scabies requires aggressive treatment, often involving a combination of topical and oral medications, as well as mechanical removal of the crusts. Hospitalization may be necessary.

Prevention: Stopping the Spread

Preventing the spread of scabies is crucial. Here are some important steps you can take:

Treat all household members and close contacts: Even if they don’t have symptoms, treating everyone who has had close contact with the infected person is essential to prevent re-infestation.
Wash clothing and bedding: Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and dry them on high heat. Items that cannot be washed can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.
Vacuum thoroughly: Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
Avoid close contact with infected individuals: Until they have completed treatment, avoid close skin-to-skin contact with people who have scabies.

Prevention Method	Description
————————-	————————————————————————————————————————-
Treat close contacts	Treat all household members and close contacts simultaneously, even if they are asymptomatic.
Wash linens and clothing	Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and dry on high heat.
Vacuum thoroughly	Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture to remove any mites that may have fallen off.
Avoid direct contact	Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with individuals who have scabies until they have completed their treatment course.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Delaying treatment: Delaying treatment allows the infestation to worsen and increases the risk of spreading scabies to others.
Not treating close contacts: If you have scabies, it’s essential to treat all household members and close contacts to prevent re-infestation.
Using only over-the-counter remedies: Over-the-counter remedies can provide temporary relief from itching, but they won’t kill the mites. You need prescription medication to eliminate the infestation.
Not following treatment instructions carefully: It’s essential to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and complete the entire course of treatment to ensure that the mites are eradicated.
Assuming you’re immune after treatment: You can get scabies again, so it’s important to continue to take preventive measures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if I have scabies?

Scabies typically presents with intense itching, especially at night, and a rash consisting of small, raised bumps or blisters. The rash is often found in skin folds such as between the fingers, in the armpits, around the wrists, and in the groin area. A doctor can confirm the diagnosis by examining your skin and possibly taking a skin scraping.

Can I get scabies from my pet?

No, you cannot get scabies from your pet. The type of mite that affects animals is different from the Sarcoptes scabiei mite that affects humans. Pets can get mange, which is caused by a different type of mite.

How long does it take for scabies symptoms to appear?

If you’ve never had scabies before, it can take 2-6 weeks for symptoms to appear. If you’ve had scabies before, symptoms may appear within 1-4 days of re-exposure.

How long is scabies contagious?

Scabies is contagious until the mites and their eggs are killed by treatment. After treatment, you may still experience itching for a week or two, but you are no longer contagious.

Can I spread scabies even if I don’t have symptoms?

Yes, you can spread scabies even if you don’t have symptoms. This is why it’s important to treat all household members and close contacts, even if they don’t have symptoms.

Is it safe to use permethrin cream during pregnancy?

Permethrin cream is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. However, it’s always best to talk to your doctor before using any medication during pregnancy.

Can I go to work or school if I have scabies?

You should stay home from work or school until you have completed the first treatment and are no longer contagious. Consult with your doctor regarding specific guidelines.

How do I clean my house to prevent the spread of scabies?

Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and dry them on high heat. Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Items that cannot be washed can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.

Are there any natural remedies for scabies?

While some natural remedies, such as tea tree oil and neem oil, may have some antimicrobial properties, they have not been scientifically proven to be effective in treating scabies. These remedies should not be used as a substitute for prescription medications.

What happens if scabies is left untreated?

If left untreated, scabies can lead to skin infections and other complications. It can also spread to others, causing outbreaks in families, schools, and nursing homes.

Why am I still itching after scabies treatment?

Itching after scabies treatment is common. It’s caused by an allergic reaction to the dead mites and their waste. Itching usually subsides within 1-2 weeks. You can use over-the-counter antihistamines and calamine lotion to help relieve the itching.

What can I buy for scabies for my child?

What can I buy for scabies for your child needs to be prescribed by a doctor. Both permethrin cream and ivermectin, in appropriate formulations and dosages, can be used to treat scabies in children, but it’s crucial to consult with a pediatrician or dermatologist to determine the best course of treatment for your child’s age and weight. Never self-treat a child for scabies.