Scabies is a common and contagious skin infestation caused by a tiny mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. It appears worldwide, with 300 million new cases occurring each year, reports Dermatology Online Journal. The main symptom is itchy skin which is most severe at night. Pimples, rashes and wavy pencil-like lines are signs of scabies. Scabies must be diagnosed and treated by a health care professional, who will distinguish it from other skin irritations and prescribe appropriate medicine. A number of treatments may be needed after the scabies mite is eradicated.
Anti-Itch Lotion
According to the Hall Health Primary Care Center, 48 hours after treatment with a scabicide, no new signs of infestation, such as a red rash or new burrow, should appear. However, itching may persist for up to 3 weeks after the scabies mites have been eradicated.
Treatments that relieve itchy skin include soothing over-the-counter creams such as calamine, which are readily available at a pharmacy, reports MayoClinic.com.
Antihistamine
Another measure to reduce itching is an over-the-counter or physician-prescribed oral histamine. A commonly used agent is diphenhydramine, which relieves itching and insomnia, reports MedlinePlus. As itching associated with scabies tends to occur at night, this is an excellent choice.
Diphenhydramine is available as a tablet, liquid, capsule filled with liquid or dissolving strip, making it an attractive choice for children, reports PubMed Health. It should not be used, however, in children younger than 4 years of age. For children aged 4 to 11 years old, careful attention must be paid to the dose recommendations, as an overdose can be fatal.
Cold Soaks
Soaking the affected skin in cool water or applying a cool, wet washcloth is another measure that alleviates itching, explains MedlinePlus. This home remedy can be used as many times as needed.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics against staphylococci or streptococci bacteria are warranted in patients who develop an infection secondary to scabies. This occurs when a scratched area develops a sore that then gets infected. Impetigo, a skin infection on the surface of the skin, is the most common scabies-associated infection.
According to the Hall Health Primary Care Center, typical cases include children who can't stop scratching their itchy skin and patients with severe forms of scabies, known as Norwegian or crusted scabies. These patients, who are often elderly or have weakened immune systems, may have thousands of mites, and are highly contagious.
Vaccination
Future treatments for scabies may include vaccination, a strategy which has been successfully used against ticks in certain animals, reports Dr. Burkhart in Dermatology Online Journal. As of 2010, initial research into scabies vaccination for humans is promising.
Vaccination would be especially useful for populations that have become highly infested with scabies mites, such as remote Aboriginal people who have developed resistance to even the strongest anti-scabies medications.
