How to treat scabies mites in humans? - briefly
Prescription topical scabicides, chiefly 5 % permethrin cream applied to the entire body for 8–14 hours and repeated after one week, eradicate the parasite; oral ivermectin 200 µg/kg given as a single dose, repeated after 1–2 weeks, provides an effective alternative for severe or crusted infestations.
How to treat scabies mites in humans? - in detail
Scabies results from infestation by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, which burrows into the epidermis and provokes intense pruritus, especially at night. Diagnosis rests on clinical pattern, dermatoscopic visualization of the mite or its burrows, and, when necessary, skin scraping for microscopic confirmation.
Pharmacologic eradication relies on agents that either paralyze the mite or disrupt its cuticle. The most widely endorsed regimen employs a 5 % permethrin cream applied to the entire body from the neck down, left on for eight to fourteen hours, then washed off; a second application after seven days eliminates newly hatched organisms. Oral ivermectin, 200 µg per kilogram of body weight, is administered as a single dose, repeated after twelve hours for severe or crusted disease; a third dose may be required in immunocompromised patients. Alternative topical preparations include:
- 10 % sulfur ointment, applied nightly for three to five days, suitable for infants and pregnant women.
- 25 % benzyl benzoate lotion, left on for twenty‑four hours before washing, repeated after one week.
- 10 % crotamiton cream, applied once daily for two days, then a second course after one week.
Adjunctive measures prevent re‑infestation and mitigate symptoms. All clothing, bedding, and towels used within the preceding 72 hours should be laundered at ≥ 50 °C or sealed in airtight bags for three days. Antihistamines or low‑dose topical corticosteroids relieve itching, but should not replace acaricidal therapy. Scratching-induced secondary bacterial infection warrants appropriate antibiotic coverage.
Follow‑up assessment occurs fourteen days after treatment completion; persistence of lesions or ongoing itch suggests treatment failure, possible resistance, or secondary infection, and may necessitate repeat dosing or combination therapy. Education on household hygiene and avoidance of close contact with untreated individuals reduces transmission risk.