One of the first symptoms of scabies is a very itchy rash.
This is usually worse when you’re warm, such as when you’re in bed or after a shower.
Symptoms generally start 3 to 6 weeks after infestation with the scabies mite. However, if you’ve had scabies before, the rash can start after only 1 to 3 days.
- The scabies rash generally looks like lots แทงบอล UFABET ราคาดีที่สุด ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ of small red bumps. They’re harder to see on dark skin, but you should be able to feel them.
- The rash can appear anywhere on your body.
- The most common places for the rash are:
- between your fingers
- on the underside of your wrists
- on the outer surface of your elbows and knees
- around your waist
- on your bottom or genitals (private parts)
- in your armpits.
- The rash doesn’t usually appear on your head, although it may do so in very young children, older adults or people with a weakened immune system.
- You may have the scabies mite but no itching, but you can still spread scabies.
- Other conditions can cause a similar rash, so it can easily be confused with other skin conditions such as dermatitis or hives.
Talk to your healthcare provider or a pharmacist if you think you might have scabies.
Scabies is usually diagnosed base on your symptoms and examination of your skin. You’ll also be asked if you’ve had contact with any other itchy people.
Scabies is usually treated with a lotion called permethrin. Which kills the scabies mite. You can buy this from your pharmacy or get it on prescription from your doctor or nurse prescriber. You need enough cream/lotion to treat everyone in your household, even if they don’t have any symptoms. One 30 mL bottle is generally enough for an average sized adult, and children will need less.
It’s important to follow the instructions for using permethrin carefully. The lotion or cream must stay on your body for at least 8 hours to kill the scabies mites.
You’ll need to apply the permethrin a second time 7 days later to treat any newly hatched larvae. You or your child can go back to work or school 24 hours after the first treatment.
Permethrin may not be suitable for everyone – you may need a different treatment
See your healthcare provider for advice before treatment if you:
- have open wounds or skin infections
- have crusted scabies (severe infestation)
- are bed-bound.
Although permethrin can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if:
- you’re pregnant/hapu or breastfeeding
- you have children younger than 2 years of age.