What should be done with the scabies mite? - briefly
The mite must be eliminated with topical scabicidal agents, for example permethrin 5 % applied to the whole body and simultaneous laundering of clothing and bedding at ≥50 °C. Oral ivermectin may be used for resistant infestations or when topical therapy is unsuitable.
What should be done with the scabies mite? - in detail
The scabies mite requires a coordinated approach that includes diagnosis, pharmacological eradication, environmental decontamination, and preventive education.
Accurate identification is achieved through skin scraping examined under microscopy; the presence of adult mites, eggs, or fecal pellets confirms infestation. Prompt laboratory confirmation guides immediate therapeutic decisions.
Pharmacological treatment relies on topical scabicides such as permethrin 5 % applied to the entire body from the neck down and left on for eight to fourteen hours before washing. Oral ivermectin, dosed at 200 µg/kg, is administered on day 1 and repeated on day 8 for cases resistant to topical agents or involving crusted scabies. Both regimens are repeated after one week to eliminate newly hatched mites.
Environmental control includes washing clothing, bedding, and towels at ≥ 50 °C or dry‑cleaning; items unable to withstand heat should be sealed in plastic bags for at least seventy‑two hours, exploiting the mite’s limited survival off the host. Vacuuming upholstered furniture and carpets reduces residual contamination.
Contact tracing identifies individuals sharing living spaces or close physical contact; these persons receive prophylactic treatment regardless of symptom presence to interrupt transmission cycles.
Public health measures emphasize education on personal hygiene, avoidance of prolonged skin‑to‑skin contact with infected individuals, and prompt reporting of outbreaks to health authorities. Continuous surveillance monitors treatment efficacy and resistance patterns, informing updates to therapeutic guidelines.