Infection Prevention and Control Team
Lanchester Road Hospital
Lanchester Road
Durham
DH5 1RD
Phone: 0191 333 3584
Email: [email protected]
What is scabies?
Scabies is a contagious skin disease, caused by a mite that burrows into the top layers of the skin. It is not usually a serious condition but does require treatment. Anyone can get scabies. It has nothing to do with poor hygiene.
Mites lay eggs in burrows leaving a line in the skin and a dot at one end. The body’s immune system reacts to the mite’s droppings and saliva resulting in intense itching
Scabies is infectious and can take up to 8 weeks for a rash to appear after contact with an infected person. The scabies rash can spread across the whole body, apart from the head, however it commonly occurs on the fingers and wrists.
Signs and symptoms?
- Itchy skin, particularly at night. Scabies can make conditions like eczema or psoriasis worse.
- Rash (this can usually spread across the whole body apart from the head). Areas commonly affected are groin, axilla, belt area, under breasts and between the fingers.
How does it spread?
Scabies is passed from person-to-person by prolonged skin-to-skin contact especially by the hands, sleeping together or sexual contact. The mite does not “jump” from person to person.
Mites do not survive away from their host as it is too cold for them outside the skin.
How is it treated?
If you have scabies you will be prescribed a topical treatment (cream or lotion) which you need to apply to your whole body but not your face.
Please make sure you follow any guidance that comes with the lotion including keeping the lotion on your skin for the length of time recommended, usually 12 – 24 hours.
Any household contacts identified must be treated at the same time. You will need to repeat the treatment 1 week later.
Please note it may take up to 3 weeks after you first apply the lotion for the itching to stop. An antihistamine or anti-pruritic cream may help to reduce the itchiness. Also keep nails short.
Do
- Do wash all bedding and clothing at 50ºC or higher on first day
- Do put clothing that can’t be washed in a sealed bag for 3 days.
- Do try to prevent young children from sucking the lotion from their hands.
Don’t
- Don’t have close physical contact until you have completed the full course of treatment.
- Don’t share bedding, clothing, or towels with someone who has scabies.
When can I return to work/school?
You must wait 24 hours after first treatment before you return to work, school or nursery.
Where can I get further information?
During your hospital stay if you or your family require further information or wish to discuss this please contact the Ward Staff or the Infection Prevention and Control team.
L1169, v1, 25/04/2022 (archive 25/04/2025)
