What should I do if I think I have scabies?

If you suspect you have scabies, avoid close physical contact with others and refrain from sharing bedding, clothing, or towels. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider for confirmation and treatment.

A healthcare professional can diagnose scabies by examining your skin and possibly taking a skin scraping to look for mites, eggs, or mite feces under a microscope.

Common symptoms include intense itching, especially at night, a pimple-like rash, and possible sores caused by scratching. The rash often occurs in webbing of fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, and waist.

Visit your primary care doctor, a dermatologist, or a local health clinic to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Scabies requires prescription medication known as a scabicide. Over-the-counter treatments are not effective. You should see a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment.

Permethrin cream is commonly prescribed to treat scabies. Other options include ivermectin pills or benzyl benzoate. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you.

Itching may continue for several weeks after treatment, but the rash should start to clear up within a few days. See your doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.

Yes, all close contacts and household members should be treated simultaneously to prevent re-infestation, even if they do not show symptoms.

Wash clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and dry them on a hot cycle to kill the mites. Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in plastic bags for at least 72 hours.

Pets cannot catch human scabies, as the mites are specific to humans. However, pets can have their own type of mite infestation, called sarcoptic mange.

Avoid skin-to-skin contact with others, do not share personal items, and follow your doctor's instructions for treatment to minimize the risk of spreading scabies.

Yes, scabies is highly contagious through direct skin-to-skin contact and can also be spread by sharing clothing, towels, or bedding.

You can generally return to work or school the day after starting treatment, as long as close personal contact is avoided and treatment guidelines are followed.

If untreated, scabies can lead to secondary infections from scratching, such as impetigo. In severe cases, crusted scabies may develop, requiring more intensive treatment.

Quarantine is not usually necessary, but you should minimize direct contact with others until treatment is complete to prevent spreading the mites.

Follow-up visits may be needed to ensure the infestation has cleared. Continue to monitor for symptoms and consult your doctor if they persist.

No, over-the-counter treatments are not effective for scabies. A prescription medication is necessary to eradicate the mites.

Scabies can reoccur if not all mites are eliminated or if you come into contact with an infected person or contaminated items again. Follow all treatment and prevention guidelines to reduce this risk.

Scabies can affect anyone, but it is more common in crowded environments such as nursing homes, dormitories, and prisons where people are in close contact.

Scabies mites cannot survive more than 72 hours off the human body. Vacuuming floors and upholstery and washing items is usually sufficient to prevent residual infestation.