Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Scabies
Question: My nephew has been diagnosed with scabies. He and his roomates have all sought medical treatment and followed the directions for cleaning and using the prescriptions. His roomates have been successful in with treatment and their condition has cleared up. His however has continued to worsen. He went to the hospital and they prescribed him the same cream and said he need to wash his sheets again. He has followed all instructions, yet his skin continues to itch and the rash is all over his body. Are there any other treatments available? What can he do??
Brief Answer:
Suggestions given to be followed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
If the diagnosis is certain scabies then you need to have patience.
Permethrin is safe and less irritant than other scabicidals.
If all roommates it had subsided it is likely to be scabies only.
Please wash all the clothes and blanket he comes in contact with in hot water and dry them in hot sun preferably. You can iron them all.This is to kill all remant scabies organism which can cause reinfection.
If he has properly applied overnight once let him not reapply until after a week.
He can reapply after week of 1st application.
First good scrub bath followed by overnight application of permethrin below neck.followed by bath atleast after 12 hours.
If infected then can take oral antibiotics like amoxcillin.
Let him take antihistamines like cetrizine to relieve itching.
Daily repeated application is not advisable as can cause irritant dermatitis.
Wait for it to come down.
Please get back if you have need any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh
Suggestions given to be followed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
If the diagnosis is certain scabies then you need to have patience.
Permethrin is safe and less irritant than other scabicidals.
If all roommates it had subsided it is likely to be scabies only.
Please wash all the clothes and blanket he comes in contact with in hot water and dry them in hot sun preferably. You can iron them all.This is to kill all remant scabies organism which can cause reinfection.
If he has properly applied overnight once let him not reapply until after a week.
He can reapply after week of 1st application.
First good scrub bath followed by overnight application of permethrin below neck.followed by bath atleast after 12 hours.
If infected then can take oral antibiotics like amoxcillin.
Let him take antihistamines like cetrizine to relieve itching.
Daily repeated application is not advisable as can cause irritant dermatitis.
Wait for it to come down.
Please get back if you have need any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
