Scabies
What is Scabies (Typical)?
Scabies is a highly contagious skin infestation caused by the microscopic human itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Scabies is spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
What is Crusted Scabies? (Atypical)?
Crusted scabies, also called atypical or Norwegian scabies, is a severe and highly contagious type of scabies. It causes thick, crusty patches on the skin due to an intense reaction to tiny mites. It usually affects people with weakened immune systems. Sometimes itching is absent due to the patient’s neurological condition or altered immune status. Treatment involves strong medications to kill the mites and prevent spread. Quick diagnosis and treatment are important to stop it from spreading to others and causing complications. Because crusted scabies is more contagious than typical scabies, additional aggressive response may be taken to stop the spread.
What are Symptoms for Typical Scabies?
The primary symptom of typical scabies is intense itching, especially at night. Other common symptoms include:
- Pimple-like rash on the skin (common areas: between fingers, elbows armpits genitals, waist, and shoulders).
- Thin, irregular burrow tracks made up of tiny blisters or bumps on the skin
- Sores caused by scratching
What Causes Scabies?
Scabies is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which burrows into the upper layer of skin, where it lives and lays its eggs. The mites are spread through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Scabies can also be transmitted through sharing clothing, bedding, towels, or other linens with an infected individual.
How is Scabies Diagnosed?
Diagnosing scabies typically involves a physical examination by a healthcare provider. The doctor may identify signs of scabies, such as burrow tracks or a rash, often found in between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, or other body areas. A provider’s documented diagnosis is all it takes for a person to be considered infected with scabies. In some cases, a skin scraping may be taken and examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of scabies mites or their eggs. However, a negative skin scraping does not rule out scabies.
What is the Treatment for Scabies?
Scabies treatment involves prescribed medications that kill the mites and their eggs (there are no ‘over-the-counter’ products available for treatment). Prescribed medications include:
- Permethrin cream
- Ivermectin lotion or tablets
- Crotamiton cream or lotion
How can scabies be prevented?
Preventing scabies involves avoiding close contact with infected individuals and taking certain precautions:
- Avoid prolonged skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals
- Avoid sharing personal items such as clothing, towels, fabric furniture or bedding, with an infected person
- Wash bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water and drying them on a hot cycle
- Seal items that cannot be washed/dry cleaned in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours
Information for Healthcare Providers and Long-term Care Facilities
Resources
Resources for Healthcare Facilities
Facilities
Main Health Facilities Center
2525 Grand Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: (562) 570-4000
Multi-Service Center for the Homeless »
1301 West 12th Street
Long Beach, CA 90813
Phone: (562) 570-4500
Fax: (562) 570-8234
Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center - Center for Family and Youth »
6335 Myrtle Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90805
Phone: (562) 570-3300
Fax: (562) 570-3306
Other Facilities »
