skin disorders
Scabies Infestation
Treatment of Scabies Infestation
Permethrinor other scabicide cream Sometimesivermectin For older children and adults,scabies can be cured by applying a cream containingpermethrinor other scabicide (medication that kills the scabies mite) to the entire body from the neck down and washing it off after 8 to 14 hours. This treatment is repeated a week later. For infants and young children,permethrinis applied to the head and neck, avoiding the skin around the eyes and mouth, and over the entire body. The skinfolds, fingernails, toenails, and the navel should be thoroughly treated. Mittens can be put on infants to keep them from puttingpermethrinin their mouth. Additionally for infants, an ointment containing a formulation of sulfur in petrolatum can be applied at night and washed off in the morning.Lindaneis no longer recommended because of its toxic side effects. For adults and children 4 years of age and older,spinosadsuspension (liquid) is applied to all of the skin from the neck down, including the soles of the feet. In bald people, the lotion should also be applied to the scalp, forehead, hairline, and temples. It should be allowed to dry for 10 minutes before getting dressed and then left on the skin for 6 hours before showering or bathing. This treatment should be repeated in 1 week. Contact with the eyes should be avoided. Ivermectintaken by mouth in 2 doses given a week apart also is effective for people who are not helped by or cannot take drugs applied directly to the skin and is especially helpful for severe infestations in people with a weakened immune system. Even after successful treatment that kills the mites, itching and bumps may persist for up to 3 weeks because of a continued allergic reaction to the mite bodies, which remain in the skin for a while. The itching can be treated with mild corticosteroid cream, Systemic treatments , or both. Occasionally, the skin irritation and deep scratches lead to a bacterial infection, which may require antibiotics given by mouth. Family members and people who have had close physical contact, such as sexual contact, with a person with scabies should be treated as well. Clothing, towels, and bedding used during the preceding few days should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer, dry cleaned, or put in a closed plastic bag for at least 3 days. 