Scabies, a common itchy skin disease, is caused by a parasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. Signs include a rash, pimple-like bumps or blisters filled with pus. Wavy, pencil-like lines may cover the skin, as well. Scabies is contagious and easily spread among sexual partners and people living close together. To kill the mites, doctors usually prescribe topical cream or lotion medications, reports the Mayo Clinic. Difficult or severe cases may require an oral medication or antibiotics.
Diagnosis
A doctor closely examines a patient's skin for signs of scabies mites. The physician takes a scraping from a burrow, a pencil-shaped channel where female mites lay their eggs, and then examines it under a microscope to look for mites or eggs.
Choosing a Medication
Several factors influence a doctor's choice of medication, reports the Aetna InteliHealth website. They include the patient's age and medical history. The presence of another skin infection, complications and pregnancy also influence the physician's selection.
Prescription Medicated Creams
Most often, doctors prescribe a medicated cream, reports the National Institutes of Health. The most commonly prescribed cream is permethrin 5 percent, which contains a chemical that kills scabies. It is available under the brand names Elimite and Nix. Permethrin is safe for children and adults, including pregnant and nursing women, reports the Mayo Clinic. Another cream a doctor may prescribe is benzyl benzoate.
Creams for Infants and Sensitive People
Doctors may prescribe sulfur in petroleum for babies and other people who have sensitive skin, reports Aetna InteliHealth. Another lotion doctors recommend for babies is crotamiton, a nonchemical medication that is applied to the skin once daily for two to five days, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is sold under the brand name Eurax.
Lindan
Physicians rarely prescribe lindan, a chemical treatment that is available as a cream, lotion and shampoo, because of its side effects, reports the National Institutes of Health. This medication could have an adverse effect on pregnant and nursing women, children younger than 2 and those with weakened immune systems, such as people who are HIV positive, reports the Mayo Clinic.
Oral Medications
In certain cases, doctors prescribe ivermectin, an oral medicine available under the brand name Stromecton, to kill scabies mites. It is used for difficult and poorly responding cases, such as crusted scabies, a highly contagious infestation with thousands of mites.
Indication for Antibiotics
When a patient develops a bacterial infection as a result of scabies, such as impetigo, the doctor prescribes an antibiotic, explains the American Academy of Family Physicians. This can occur when a child repeatedly scratches itchy mite-infested skin.
