A scabies infestation is highly contagious and can be transmitted even through brief, casual contact with someone who is infested.
Scabies is an infestation caused by a mite, which is a microscopic insect-like creature. Scabies is highly contagious and may produce epidemics within communities, boarding schools, households, etc. Nothing more than brief, casual contact with a person who is infested is required for transmission. Personal hygiene and cleanliness have absolutely nothing to do with scabies.
People vary greatly in their sensitivity to the scabies mite. One person with scabies may suffer unbearable itching, while others will experience little or none at all. The only manifestations of the disease are itching and a rash. The internal organs are never affected by scabies.
At bedtime, apply your prescribed cream from the chin to the soles of the feet, covering the entire body, front and back. Do not apply the medicine to the face. Give special attention to carefully applying the medicine to skin fold areas of the body – behind and within ears, the folds of the underarms, groin and between the buttocks, and the webs between the fingers and toes. The cream should also be applied between the fingernails and toenails. Apply the cream sparingly and rub in well. Half a tube of the cream is sufficient to treat an average size adult.
Avoid application of the cream to the areas around the eyes, nose, and mouth. If Elimite cream accidentally gets into the eyes, flush the eyes with cool water immediately. Allow the cream to remain on the skin overnight (at least eight hours), and wash it off with a shower or bath the following morning. If the cream is accidentally washed off during the treatment period (for example, if you wash your hands), more cream should be applied.
Mild, temporary stinging, burning or itching may occur and last for several hours after application of the medication. This disappears over time. The itching of the scabies rash increases for a day or two after application of the cream. This is normal. Before you wash off the cream, launder all bed linens and clothes worn during the preceding two days. This is important because some dislodged scabies mites may survive for over one day off a person. Children’s bed toys, electric or wool blankets, and other items not easily laundered should be set aside and not used for 36 hours. However, furniture, carpets and pets do not need to be specially handled.
All members of the family or household must be treated, whether they itch or not. The treatment should be done for all persons at the same time. Alternatively, your provider may elect to treat with an oral medication.
