Scabies is a skin infestation characterized by reddish rash and itchy skin. It is caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei that burrows into the human skin and lays eggs, resulting in a highly contagious condition known as the scabies skin rash. If not treated, these microscopic mites can live on the skin for months.
Although the condition can be troublesome, there are some effective treatment options to ease the symptoms. Treatment usually consists of specific medications that kill scabies mites and their eggs.
Because scabies is so contagious, doctors generally recommend treatment for all the people who are in regular contact with the affected person.
Symptoms of scabies skin rash
Common symptoms include the following.
- Excessive itching, especially at night
- Scales or blisters
- Pimple-like rash
- Sores caused by scratching
In the early stages, scabies looks quite similar to other skin conditions such as mosquito bites and acne. It is best to take a scabies rash photos before consulting the doctor for proper diagnosis.
Effective treatments for scabies skin rash
The most common scabies treatment involves using prescription ointments, lotions, and creams that can be directly applied to the skin.
These medicines have to be applied at night, as that is the time when mites are the most active. You need to apply it to your entire body, barring your face. The medicine can be washed off the next morning. In most cases, doctors ask to repeat the topical treatment within seven days.
Apart from this, oral medications are also available.
Some of the most common medicines for treating scabies include benzoate lotion, permethrin cream, crotamiton cream, lindane lotion, and sulfur ointment.
Additionally, your doctor might prescribe some more medicines to relive the exasperating symptoms, such as the following.
- Antibiotics to curb infections that develop due to constant itching
- Steroid creams to alleviate swelling and irritation
- Antihistamines, such as pramoxine lotion to control itching
Oral medications are often given to people who:
- Do not improve with topical treatments
- Have scabies all over the body
- Have crusted scabies
Once you begin with the treatment, you may not witness any visible improvements in the first week. However, by the second week, you will feel a considerable reduction in itching. Normally, the symptoms go away completely in four weeks.
In case the rash does not get better after four weeks, you can consult your doctor with scabies photos and symptoms that you have been experiencing. This will help the doctor to suggest the proper and the most appropriate treatment.
