How Can Scabies Be Treated?
To treat scabies, you need to kill the scabies mite on your body. Products used to kill scabies mites are called scabicides, [5] some also kill the eggs. Scabicides to treat human scabies are available only with a doctor’s prescription; no “over-the-counter” (non-prescription) products have been tested and approved for humans.
It is important that you strictly follow the instructions provided by the doctor and pharmacist, as well as those contained in the box or printed on the label. When treating adults and older children, scabicide cream or lotion is applied to all areas of the body from the neck down to the feet and toes; when treating infants and young children, the cream or lotion also is applied to the head and neck. Your doctor will discuss with you on how long you should leave the medication on your body before it is washed off. After the treatment, ensure the clothes you put on are clean.
In addition, if a person has scabies, the treatment is also recommended for their household members and sexual contacts, particularly those who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person. All persons should be treated at the same time in order to prevent reinfestation. Retreatment may be necessary if itching continues more than 2-4 weeks after treatment or if new burrows or rash continue to appear.
Never use a scabicide intended for veterinary or agricultural use to treat humans!