Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes scabiei that burrows into the skin and lays eggs. This post will discuss the causes and treatments of scabies and offer tips for preventing the spread of the infestation.

The infestation can cause intense itching and a rash, which can be especially uncomfortable at night. 

Scabies is most commonly spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, and it can also be spread through shared clothing, bedding, and towels.

The good news is that scabies is treatable with a variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications. 

Prescription Medications

Topical Scabicides Treatments of Scabies

The most effective treatments for scabies are prescription Topical Scabicides medications, which work by killing the mites and their eggs.

Topical scabicides are medications that are applied directly to the skin to kill scabies mites. The most commonly used topical scabicides are permethrin cream and benzyl benzoate lotion. 

1. Permethrin Cream

This is the most commonly prescribed medication for scabies. It is a topical cream that is applied to the entire body from the neck down and left on for 8-14 hours before being washed off. It is usually applied once a week for two to three weeks. 

It is safe for use in adults and children over 2 months old. Permethrin cream should be reapplied after 1 week to ensure that all mites and eggs have been eliminated.

2. Benzyl benzoate lotion

This is another effective topical scabicide. It is applied to the entire body from the neck down and left on for 24 hours before washing off. Benzyl benzoate lotion is usually applied once a day for three days. It is not recommended for use in infants or pregnant women.

3. Crotamiton

This is a topical cream that is applied to the entire body and left on for 24 hours before being washed off. It is less effective than permethrin and ivermectin and may require multiple applications.

Also read: The ABCs of Hepatitis B: What You Need to Know

Oral Treatments of Scabies

Oral medications are sometimes prescribed for severe cases of scabies or for patients who cannot use topical scabicides. The most popular oral medication that is prescribes for scabies is ivermectin.

Ivermectin

This is an oral medication that is taken once as a single dose. It is effective at killing the mites and their eggs and is often used in conjunction with permethrin cream. 

Ivermectin is generally safe for use in adults and children over 15 kg, but it should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under five years of age or those with liver disease.

Over-the-Counter Medications for Scabies

There are also some over-the-counter medications that may be effective at treating scabies. These include:

1. Sulfur Ointment

This is a topical cream that is applied to the entire body and left on for 24-48 hours before being washed off. It is less effective than prescription medications but may be useful for people who cannot use permethrin or ivermectin.

2. Pyrethrin Lotion 

This is an over-the-counter insecticide that is applied to the entire body and left on for 10 minutes before being washed off. 

It is effective at killing the mites but may not kill all the eggs. Pyrethrin should not be used in people who are allergic to chrysanthemums or ragweed.

Natural Remedies for Scabies

While there are many home remedies that are said to be effective at treating scabies, there is little scientific evidence to support their use. Some of the most commonly suggested remedies include:

1. Tea Tree Oil 

This is an essential oil that is believed to have antifungal and antiseptic properties. It is often used topically to treat skin conditions, including scabies. 

2. Neem Oil 

This is an oil derived from the neem tree, which is native to India and northern parts of Nigeria. It is believed to have antimicrobial properties and may be effective at treating scabies. 

3. Cloves

Cloves are a spice that is believed to have antimicrobial properties. Some people suggest grinding cloves into a paste and applying it to the skin to treat scabies. 

4. Aloe Vera 

Aloe Vera is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the itching and inflammation caused by scabies. It can be applied to the skin as a gel or cream.

Also read: Herpes Treatment: 20 Home Remedies for Managing Outbreaks

Prevention of Scabies

The best way to prevent the spread of scabies is to avoid close skin-to-skin contact with infected people. 

Household Cleaning

To prevent re-infestation and to eliminate scabies mites from the environment, it is important to clean your home and personal items thoroughly. 

This includes washing all clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and drying them on high heat. Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in plastic bags for at least 72 hours.

Vacuuming carpets, upholstery, and mattresses can also help remove scabies mites from the environment. Also make sure to dispose the vacuum bag immediately you are done.

Conclusion

Scabies is a treatable skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. Topical scabicides, oral medications, and natural remedies can all be effective in treating scabies. 

If you suspect that you or someone in your household has scabies, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Some answered questions:

What is the best treatment for scabies?

The 2 most widely used treatments for scabies are permethrin cream and benzyl benzoate lotion. 

Which tablet is best for scabies?

Use oral ivermectin in combination with topical therapy.

Observational studies have shown that ivermectin is effective after the failure of topical therapy in people with crusted scabies.

What drugs are used to treat scabies in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, 25% benzyl benzoate is being extensively used for the treatment of scabies in adults. It is effective and readily available.

Are scabies an STD?

Scabies is spread through through direct skin-to-skin contact and also by using clothing, sheets, towels, or furniture that has touched an infected person’s skin. 

Scabies is usually considered as an STI because of its likelihood of been contacting during sex is very high.

What is the list of antibiotics for scabies?

Can antibiotics cure scabies?

Antibiotics can only be prescribed in the case whereby a patient develops other skin infections from scratching of the scabies rashes. But so far antibiotics are not used to treat scabies but rather Topical scabicides.

Does calamine lotion work for scabies?

Calamine lotion can help to calm the body or relieve the some of the symptoms of scabies, but it does not kill the mites that causes scabies. So don’t rely on it to treat scabies.

Can you kiss with scabies?

Even though brief contacts like kissing and hugging might not cause scabies to be transferred, it is greatly advisable to not do them.

It is best to avoid contact with a patient until they have completed treatment.

Is scabies a toilet infection?

Most times it has to take a  prolong contact with an infected person for you to get infected.

However, it is advisable to always wipe the toilet sit before use, just so you can be sure that you are safe.

What are the 3 symptoms of scabies?

Signs and symptoms of scabies include:

• Itching: itching at night can be a serious symptom, and it can be very intense to the level of sleep deprivation at night.
• Rash: Many people get scabies rash, a pimple-like skin rash. 
• Sores: Scratching the itchy rash can cause sores.  
• Thick crusts on the skin: this can usually happen when the scabies develops into a severe stage

What happens if scabies is left untreated?

According to WHO, This condition has a high mortality if it is left, because it can lead to secondary sepsis. Also the Mite can affect the immunity of the body.

Even so, the direct effects of scratching, can lead to inoculation of the skin with bacteria, that can leading to the development of impetigo (skin sores), especially in the tropics.

What herbal lotion kills scabies?

Neem oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic properties. The active components of neem have been shown to kill scabies in laboratory tests.

What is the main cause of scabies?

Refer to answer above

Do scabies affect private parts?

Scabies usually affects the sides and webs of the fingers, inside of the wrists, elbows, armpits, skin around the nipples (especially in females), the skin around the belly button, waist, male genitals (scrotum and penis), knees, the lower half of the butt and tops of thighs, and sides and backs of the feet.