PG
1
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Mild severity
· Dermatology
Scabies
Mite infestation · Intense night itch
A very itchy skin condition caused by tiny burrowing mites. It spreads easily through close contact and needs the whole household treated.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Common in crowded settings
- Typical age
- All ages
- Outlook
- Curable with treatment
- System
- Skin
Reviewed by a verified Dermatology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Sarcoptes scabiei mite
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Sharing bedding or clothes
- Crowded living conditions
- Weakened immunity
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Intense itching, worse at night
- Thin burrow lines on skin
- Rash between fingers, wrists, waist
- Sores from scratching
- Family members itching too
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Permethrin cream head to toe
- Oral ivermectin in some cases
- Treat all close contacts together
- Hot-wash bedding and clothes
- Antihistamines for itch
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Treat the whole household at once
- Wash and hot-dry all linens
- Avoid skin contact until treated
- Keep nails short
Do’s
- Apply the cream exactly as directed
- Wash bedding and clothes in hot water
- Treat everyone in the home together
- Trim nails to reduce damage
Don’ts
- Treat only the itchy person
- Share towels or bedding
- Stop treatment after one application if advised twice
- Scratch open the skin
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.