The most prominent symptom of scabies is intense itching, particularly at night. The areas of the skin most affected by scabies include the webs and sides of the fingers, around the wrists, elbows and armpits, waist, thighs, genitalia, nipples, breasts and lower buttocks. Symptoms will appear two to six weeks after contact in people who have not previously been exposed to scabies. People who have had a previous bout with scabies mites may show symptoms within one to four days after subsequent re-exposure. A person is able to spread scabies until mites and eggs are destroyed by treatment.
Skin lotions containing lindane or crotamiton are available through a physician's prescription.
The lotions are applied to the whole body except the head and neck, followed by a cleansing bath eight hours after application and a change to fresh clothing. Sometimes, itching may persist for several days but should not be regarded as treatment failure or reinfestation. Individuals with symptoms that persist should be treated a second time at one week. Avoid physical contact with infested individuals and their belongings, especially clothing and bedding. Health education on the life history of scabies, proper treatment and the need for early diagnosis and treatment of infested individuals and contacts is extremely important.