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Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
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Body lice or scabies is a skin infection caused by a small mite (Sarcoptes scabiei). Intense itching all over the body is usually the most common symptom, with the itching more likely at night or after bathing.
The itching and rash of scabies can sometimes be mistaken for dermatitis or other skin conditions. Scabies is usually confirmed by finding the mite burrows in the skin, which are more commonly seen in the finger webs and wrists, although they may also be found in the genital area, breasts, palms of hands, or soles of feet. The mite burrows may be up to 1 cm long, but are often obscured by scratching.
The mites and their waste droppings trigger an allergic reaction which causes the intense itching. The itching is widespread and not confined to the areas where the mite burrows are found. This allergic reaction may take up to 6 weeks to develop. During this period before symptoms appear, the risk of transferring the mite to others is high and can easily happen through direct contact (e.g. hugging, holding hands and sexual contact).
The mite can infect anyone, and outbreaks are common in residential villages for the elderly, hospitals and child daycare centres.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
if the itch is severe or extensive
if you are not sure what skin condition you have
if treatment is required for a child under 2 years
if there is crusting or pus from scratching
if the itch and scratching is localised in one specific area
if you also suffer from dermatitis or other skin conditions
if the symptoms have persisted or come back despite treatment (note that the itch can persist for several weeks after treatment)
if you also have heart or lung problems, diabetes or another medical condition
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Treatment Tips
treatment is with a scabicide product which kills the mites
treat all close personal contacts with the scabicide, regardless of whether they are itchy or not, since it may take up to 6 weeks for the itch to develop
ensure the scabicide is applied to the whole body from the chin down in people aged over 2 years
clean and dry skin prior to applying the scabicide
use a soft brush to apply the scabicide under fingernails
leave on for the recommended time for that product and reapply after washing hands
a second application may be given after at least 7 days if there are no signs of the original lesions healing or if new mite burrows have appeared
skin irritation is common with the use of scabicide products
oral antihistamines or topical crotamiton may be helpful for the itch, which may persist for 4 to 6 weeks after treatment
wash in hot water any bedding, clothing or soft toys that the infected person has had contact with. Alternatively, seal objects in a plastic bag for 2 weeks
clean carpets and furniture with a vacuum cleaner following treatment
some products are subsidised in cost if obtained with a doctor’s prescription
Treatment Options
Scabicide products
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. permethrin (Lyclear, Quellada Scabies Treatment)
apply to clean, dry skin from the neck down to the soles of the feet
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