had scabies before to four to eight weeks, according to the CDC.
Scabies symptoms
Scabies cause an “intense, unbearable itch,” according to a report published recently in the journal Frontiers in Medicine. This is caused directly by the mites and the body’s immune response to them.
A later rash can look like lines on the skin that are grayish or skin-colored, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Scratching too much can cause a skin infection, such as impetigo, according to Mayo Clinic. Untreated scabies can even lead to complications such as chronic kidney disease, according to the Frontiers in Medicine report.
Symptoms of scabies on darker skin can include:
- A rash that can look pimply: On darker skin, scabies lesions can look only slightly lighter, but in lighter areas like the inner arm or palm, they can be brown or black.
- Burrows: Burrows are short lines (about 1 centimeter in length) where mites crawl into the skin. This manifests as a small bumpy line punctuated with a tiny dark bump. On darker skin, burrows might have to be felt or viewed with a dermatoscope, a small handheld device doctors look through to see clearly.
- Intense itching: An itch that can be intense enough to keep people awake at night is another symptom of scabies.
Scabies treatment
Scabies medications include creams and pills, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition won’t resolve without treatment.
What is a good treatment for scabies? Apply a prescription cream that contains permethrin to clean skin on the entire body, including palms and soles of the feet. Children may also need it on the scalp.
Leave the cream on for eight to 14 hours before washing it off, the Cleveland Clinic advises.
The veterinary drug ivermectin, which gained fame during the pandemic as a failed treatment for COVID-19, can be used in small doses to treat parasites, according to a recent HealthDay story.
Ivermectin is given in two doses separated by a week or two under a doctor’s guidance. It shouldn’t be used by someone who is pregnant or lactating or in children weighing less than 35 pounds, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Bumps and itching may persist for up to four weeks even though the mites are dead. Antihistamines can help with the itching. Anyone who has had close contact with a person infected with scabies should also be treated.
Wash clothing and bedding in hot water followed by a hot dryer. Vacuum carpets and furniture well, especially if someone has had crusted scabies, the CDC recommends.