What should be done for a scabies mite? - briefly
Apply a scabicidal agent—commonly permethrin 5 % cream—to the whole body, leave it on for 8–14 hours, and repeat the treatment after one week; then launder all clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and thoroughly vacuum the living area.
What should be done for a scabies mite? - in detail
Scabies infestation requires a systematic approach to eliminate the parasite and prevent recurrence.
First, confirm the diagnosis through clinical examination of characteristic burrows and, when necessary, skin scrapings examined under a microscope.
Second, initiate pharmacologic therapy. The preferred topical agent is 5 % permethrin applied to the entire body from the neck down (including the scalp in infants) and left for eight to fourteen hours before washing. For individuals who cannot tolerate permethrin or for extensive disease, a single oral dose of ivermectin (200 µg/kg) is recommended, with a repeat dose after one to two weeks.
Third, treat all household members and close contacts simultaneously, regardless of symptom presence, to interrupt transmission.
Fourth, address environmental contamination. Wash clothing, bedding, and towels used within the previous 72 hours in hot water (≥ 50 °C) and dry on a high‑heat setting. Items unable to be laundered should be sealed in airtight bags for at least 72 hours, as the mite cannot survive beyond three days off the host.
Fifth, advise patients to avoid scratching to reduce secondary bacterial infection. If lesions become infected, prescribe appropriate antibiotics based on culture results or empirical coverage for common skin pathogens.
Sixth, schedule a follow‑up visit two weeks after treatment completion to assess symptom resolution and verify eradication. Persistent pruritus may indicate residual infestation or post‑scabetic itch, requiring additional evaluation.
By adhering to this protocol—accurate diagnosis, prompt medication, simultaneous treatment of contacts, thorough decontamination, management of complications, and systematic follow‑up—the scabies mite can be effectively eradicated.