Self-Care Guidelines
Scabies requires prescription medication in order to stop the infestation. Once you are under a doctor's care, there are steps you can take to prevent scabies from coming back:
- Mites cannot survive off the human body for more than 48–72 hours. Therefore, wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used by the infested person in the past 72 hours in hot water, and dry these items in a hot dryer.
- Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and furniture, and discard the vacuum bags.
- Put anything that cannot be laundered into plastic bags for at least 72 hours.
- Pets do not need to be treated because the mite only lives on humans.
You can return to work or school the day after treatment is started.
When to Seek Medical Care
See your doctor if you develop an extremely itchy rash within skin creases, the skin between your fingers, and/or the breasts (if a woman) or genitalia (if a man). If other members of your household or people with whom you are in close contact have similar itchy rashes, they should also be evaluated by a physician.
Signs and Symptoms
