Scabies: Just the facts

Scabies is a common contagious skin condition caused by very small mites that burrow into the skin. Anyone can get it and it should be treated quickly to stop it spreading to others. 

Scabies is spread by prolonged skin-to-skin contact, such as sexual contact or holding hands for a prolonged period of time. But it can also be spread by sharing unwashed clothing, bedding or towels with an infected person. Scabies can’t fly or jump like headlice, and it’s very unlikely to be spread by brief physical contact such as shaking hands or hugging. 

Symptoms can take up to 8 weeks to appear after the initial infection. If you or someone in your household thinks they might have scabies, everyone in the household needs to be treated at the same time, even if they don’t have any symptoms. 

Speak to a pharmacist or GP if you think you might have scabies. It isn’t usually serious, but the symptoms can feel uncomfortable and the infection can be spread easily. 

What are the symptoms of scabies?

The main symptom of scabies is intense itching that gets worse during the night, a rash consisting of tiny burrow marks will appear where the mites have burrowed into the skin. 

Burrow marks are small wavy silver-coloured lines on the skin, usually less than 1cm in length. These can appear anywhere on the body but are most common: 

• Between the fingers and toes 
• Around the wrists and palms of your hands 
• On the soles and sides of your feet 
• Around the elbows 
• Around the nipples (in women) 
• Around the genitals (in men) 

Young children and those with a weakened immune system might develop a rash on their head and neck. 

How is scabies treated? 

A pharmacist or GP can give you a cream that kills the mites, the cream needs to be applied to your whole body. You might need to apply the cream twice, one week apart. Everyone in your household and any recent sexual partners should be treated, even if they don’t have symptoms. 

On the day you apply the cream or lotion, you should wash all bedding, towels and clothing at a temperature above 50 degrees celsius. 

If you’re unable to wash certain items, place them in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours (3 days). 

If you’ve been diagnosed with scabies, avoid close and prolonged physical contact with others until you’ve applied the cream or lotion. 

A pharmacist can also recommend creams and lotions to manage the symptoms of itching. 

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively, you can always contact your school nurse. 

• w: NHS - Scabies