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The Curious Bag
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Scabies is an irritating skin condition caused by infestation with a mite known as sarcoptes scabiei. Only prescription remedies should be used to treat scabies; scabies treatment is somewhat complicated, but highly effective if done properly.
Most Common Treatments
The most common treatments for scabies are the insecticide cream permethrin 5 percent and crotamiton cream, a medication that targets scabies specifically and also relieves itching, according to Medline Plus and the Mayo Clinic.
Other Treatments
Other cream medications that doctors may recommend for scabies include benzyl benzoate and sulfur in petrolatum; Medline Plus reports that lindane is used but less often because of the risk of side effects.
Oral Medications
In more severe cases, a doctor may recommend the oral medication ivermectin to treat scabies, according to Medline Plus.
Use
Scabies medications need to be applied to the whole body from the neck down and left on for eight hours; all of the prescribed dose should be used; the Mayo Clinic and Medline Plus report that other sex partners or housemates of an affected person often need to be treated as well.
Considerations
Itching may continue for a period which may last several weeks after treatment has ended, according to the Mayo Clinic and Medline Plus; this can be treated with anti-itch creams or anti-histamines.
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