HEALTHNET

What is Scabies?

Scabies is a contagious skin infection caused by infestation by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei...

(Posted on 8 March 2007)

Scabies is a contagious skin infection caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The disease spreads through direct human-to-human contact or by sharing clothes, towels, bed linen, and other daily commodities. Sarcoptes scabiei is a tiny parasite living on the skin surface, where they burrow underneath and deposit their eggs. They also secrete toxins that may cause allergic response in humans. Patients will suffer from intense itching; rashes may develop over the body, especially in tendered skin where folds are found, e.g. fingers and armpit.

Compared to other skin diseases, scabies is relatively easy to be treated. Topical lotions are enough for most of the patients, and oral medications are usually required when the patient is co-infected with bacterial infection. Common topicals include Permethrin, Benzyl benzoate lotion and Malathion. Patients should clean and dry the skin before applying the lotion from the neck down to the toes, and make sure that the treatment is applied to all areas especially where the skin folds such as finger webbings, armpits and pubes. Please refer to the following procedures for the usage of different medications:

Benzyl benzoate lotion: Re-apply the lotion 12 hours after the first application. After another 12 hours, bathe or shower and then put on clean clothes, but remember to have no bathe or shower in between the two applications
Malathion: bathe or shower 24 hours after applying the lotion, then put on clean clothes
Permethrin: bathe or shower 8 to 12 hours after application, then put on clean clothes

Apart from using the medication, the clothes and bedding of the patients must be thoroughly washed or sterilized in water above 60^oC to ensure the complete elimination of all mites. Non-washable clothes or bedding can be quarantined in sealed bags for two weeks. In order to avoid cross-infection, the family members of the patients should be checked against scabies and treated if infected.

In a word, maintaining good hygiene, bathing and wearing clean clothes every day; avoiding sharing clothes or daily commodities with others are all effective practices to prevent the spread of scabies.

Source: Drug Education Resources Centre, The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong