Scabies

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Scabies

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Summary

Scabies is an itchy, contagious skin condition caused by mites.
Common symptoms include intense itching, especially at night, and a pimple-like rash.
Treatment is required to stop it from spreading and cause further complications.

Scabies: essential info
Causes and symptoms
What are my options?
FAQ

Reviewed on November 15, 2023. by

Dr Daniel Atkinson

GP Clinical Lead

GMC (No. 4624794)

Next review due on November 15, 2026

Last updated on November 14, 2023

Find the Scabies treatment that’s best for you.

We’ve got a range of options, and our clinicians can help you find the one that’s best for your body and your budget.

Permethrin

In stock

Kills scabies mites and eggs within a single eight-hour application.

Starting from £44.95

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Hydroxyzine

Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride

Rated

(2)

In stock

An antihistamine that helps relieve itching associated with scabies.

Starting from £27.95

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Chlorphenamine

Chlorphenamine maleate

In stock

Antihistamine that relieves itching caused by scabies. Lasts for 4-6 hours.

Starting from £29.95

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Eurax

Crotamiton

In stock

Anti-itch, anti-scabies cream that gets to work within 15-30 minutes of application.

Starting from £34.95

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Eurax HC Cream

Hydrocortisone, Crotamiton

In stock

A topical cream with anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties.

Starting from £34.95

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What is scabies?

Scabies is a skin condition caused by mites that creates a pimply, itchy rash. The mites are parasites that burrow under your skin and cause the itching, pimpling and irritation you see in scabies.

You catch scabies from other people who have it, from prolonged contact with their skin. This allows the mites to travel from their skin to yours. It needs to be treated for it to disappear and to stop it from spreading to others.

Who gets scabies?

Anyone can get scabies. It’s spread mostly through skin-to-skin contact. So you’re more likely to get it if you work or live closely with a lot of people, like nursing homes. It’s also often spread in adults through sex and contact sports. It’s thought to be more common among people aged 10-19 and those who are female.^[1]

The best way you can prevent yourself from getting scabies is to avoid close contact with other people who have it. If you’ve recently developed scabies, you should tell other people you’ve been in close contact with in case they also develop symptoms.

How common is scabies?

Scabies is a very common skin condition. It’s one of the most common skin conditions in the world and affects up to 200 million people at any time.^[2] Catching scabies doesn’t mean you have poor hygiene – the infestation is under the skin and can’t be washed off. It just means you’ve come into contact with a person who has it.

Treated trusted sources:

Lassa, S., Campbell, M. and Bennett, C., (2011). Epidemiology of scabies prevalence in the U.K. from general practice records. British Journal of Dermatology, 164(6), pp.1329-1334.
World Health Organisation. (2020). Scabies: fact sheet.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on November 15, 2023. Next review due on November 15, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

What causes scabies?

Scabies is caused by the itch mite sarcoptes scabiei, which is a type of parasite. It burrows into the skin and lays eggs there. You usually catch scabies from another person when prolonged contact allows pregnant female mites to transfer from their skin to yours. The impregnated females will then lay eggs under your skin and the infestation will grow.^[1]

What are the symptoms of scabies?

The main symptom of scabies is the rash it produces. The rash often starts on the hands or fingers and usually begins as raised, red pimples. It often then spreads, and may spread across the whole body if not treated. It can cause dark spots on darker skin. The other main symptom of scabies is itchiness. It’s usually extremely itchy, especially at night.

Can scabies lead to other problems?

The biggest risk of untreated scabies is transmitting it to other people. You should also try not to scratch it too much, as breaking the skin could lead to secondary eczema or a skin infection like impetigo. If the bacterial infection isn’t treated, it can spread and become dangerous.

If you have a compromised immune system, like if you have HIV, are undergoing chemotherapy, or have an autoimmune disease, catching scabies could be even more dangerous. This can lead to you developing crusted scabies (also known as Norwegian scabies), which is a more severe kind. It can be much harder to treat, so you should see your clinician as soon as possible if you have scabies symptoms and are immunocompromised.

Treated trusted sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Scabies: Biology.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on November 15, 2023. Next review due on November 15, 2026.

How we source info.

FAQ: Scabies

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is scabies diagnosed?

Answer:

Scabies is usually diagnosed by a clinician asking you about your symptoms and those of people you’ve come into contact with. Your clinician will usually ask to see the rash and look for the characteristic signs. They’ll also ask about the signs of scabies, like itching.

They may also ask about your living situation, job and the symptoms of people around you. People who come into close proximity with lots of other people are more likely to catch scabies. It’s important that the people you’ve come into contact with who have scabies symptoms also get treatment.

How does scabies spread?

Answer:

Scabies spreads through direct, skin-to-skin contact with another person who has a scabies infestation. It spreads easier through prolonged contact, and is often spread by the fingers. In adults, scabies is usually spread through sexual activity. It can also be caught through other periods of extended skin-to-skin contact, like contact sports or massage.

You might also be more likely to catch scabies if you live or work in a setting where you come into close proximity with a lot of other people. For example, if you live in a prison, army barracks or university dorms, or if you work in a nursing home, nursery or hospital.

Can I get scabies from my pet?

Answer:

Animals can suffer an infestation from a similar kind of mite to the human scabies mite called mange. Mange rarely spreads to humans, and when it does, it just causes a few days of mild irritation. Humans also typically can’t spread scabies to their pets.

Are there tests for scabies?

Answer:

Most of the time, you don't need tests to confirm if you have scabies. It can be diagnosed just by checking your symptoms and history. But scabies can sometimes look like other skin conditions, such as shingles or eczema. If it’s not clear if you have scabies, sometimes your clinician will order tests.

There are two tests usually recommended for scabies, an ink burrow test or a lab test of your skin scrapings. The ink burrow test is performed by a small amount of ink being put onto what may be a scabies pimple. If a line running away from the pimple is seen, it suggests a scabies mite. Lab tests are done by small scrapings of infested skin being taken and looked at under a microscope.^[2]

Can you get side effects from scabies treatment?

Answer:

Topical insecticides and topical steroids usually only put you at risk of mild side effects, like irritation or a burning sensation where the treatment is applied. Oral antihistamines can sometimes cause drowsiness. Oral antibiotics sometimes cause side effects like stomach discomfort, but these are usually only prescribed when you really need them. There are lots of options, so your clinician can find something that’s right for you.

Can scabies live on furniture?

Answer:

Scabies mites thrive best on human skin. Although they can be present on clothing, bedding and furniture, the chances of catching scabies this way is unlikely. You should still avoid sharing clothing, bedding and towels with people who have a scabies infestation.

The mites that cause scabies only live for two to three days without a human host and can be killed by a single washing machine cycle at 50°c.^[1] If you have something you can’t put in the washing machine that you’re worried about catching scabies from, you could put it in a sealed container for a few days instead.

Does scabies treatment always work?

Answer:

There are a range of very effective treatments for scabies. Topical permethrin is the first-line treatment, and it’s 96.9% effective.^[3] But if something doesn’t work for you, or you need help with another symptom like itching, there are lots of options. Just contact your clinician or log into your account and send us a message if you’re using our service.

Treated trusted sources:

NICE. (2021). Diagnosis: Scabies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Scabies: Biology.
Ranjkesh, M. et al., 2013. The efficacy of permethrin 5% vs. oral ivermectin for the treatment of scabies. Annals of parasitology. 59(4), pp.189-94.

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