Scabies

What is scabies?
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by a small mite. People of all ages and races can get scabies. It is spread by DIRECT CONTACT with infected people and less often by sharing clothing or bedding. The mites that cause scabies burrow deep under the skin and lay their eggs causing a very distinct burrow that resembles a pencil mark. This results in a very itchy rash. Common locations to find the rash are between the fingers, around the wrists, elbows, armpits, knees, waistline, thighs, chest and abdomen.

What are the symptoms of scabies?
It takes two weeks from the time a person is exposed until symptoms appear. Symptoms may appear sooner if the person has had scabies before. Common things to look for are:

Itching, especially at night
Thin, pencil-mark lines on skin
Rashes
Abrasions on the skin from scratching and digging

A physician can determine if you have scabies by a direct examination of the skin, showing characteristic signs of scabies, and by taking skin scrapings and looking at them underneath a microscope.

Is there a treatment for scabies?
There are no known home remedies for scabies; treatment is by prescription lotions or creams applied to the whole body. Sometimes it may be necessary to treat the entire family for scabies, even if there are no symptoms present.

What can I do to prevent scabies?
Avoid contact with individuals with known scabies infections.

Please contact your child's building nurse or physician if you have any further questions.