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The treatment for scabies

The mite can be eliminated by medications as creams and lotions that are applied on the whole body from the neck down and must be kept on for at least eight hours. The most common prescribed medications for scabies are crotamiton (Eurax) and permethrin (Elimite, Acticin) and even though the mites are eliminated very fast, the itching sensation may still persist for a few more weeks.

In case the creams and lotions prescribed have no effect and the condition hasn't been eliminated, or in the case of people with altered immune systems, the doctor will change the prescription for some oral medications. The treatment is usually recommended by the doctors for all the family members because of the easiness of the mite's spreading.

What can be done to prevent scabies

Here are some recommended steps for preventing the spreading or the re-infestation of scabies:

• * For those clothes that are not cleaned, the best thing is to be put away in a sealed environment as a plastic bag for a few weeks because mites die if they starve for more than a week.
• * Wash all the clothes and linen, towels and bed sheets used before treatment with hot water and soap and dry them at high temperature. For those items that can't be washed, use dry – cleaning.

Self-care

After the treatment and the mite's elimination, the itchy sensation will continue. Here are a few tips to help in that matter:

• * Antihistamines, if taken over – the – counter, but with a doctor's opinion, may reduce the symptoms.
• * Minor skin irritations and itches can be relieved by applying soothing lotions like calamine lotion, which is available without a medical prescription.
• * Itching can be reduced by applying on the irritated area of the skin cool water or a cool, wet washcloth.