Scabies

Overview

Scabies is a highly contagious skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. These microscopic mites burrow into the skin to lay eggs, triggering intense itching, particularly at night, and a distinctive red, bumpy rash.
Although scabies can affect anyone, it spreads most easily through close skin-to-skin contact or shared bedding, towels, or clothing - making fast treatment essential to prevent it spreading to family or partners.

Living with scabies can be extremely uncomfortable, not only physically but emotionally, due to the stigma and sleepless nights it causes. The good news? It’s easily treatable with prescription-strength medicated creams and lotions that kill both mites and eggs, providing complete relief when used correctly.

At SwiftMedi, our UK-registered prescribers offer discreet, effective treatment such as Permethrin 5% Cream or Derbac-M Lotion, shipped securely to your door - so you can treat the infection quickly, safely, and privately.

Symptoms

Typical signs and symptoms of scabies include:

• Intense itching, often worse at night
• A red, blotchy rash or small bumps and blisters
• Thin, wavy burrow lines on the skin (often on wrists, fingers, or waistline)
• Sores from scratching
• Crusted or scaly areas (in more severe or chronic cases)

Commonly affected areas:

• Between the fingers and toes
• Wrists, elbows, and underarms
• Around the waist, groin, buttocks, and breasts
• In men, the genitals are often affected

Itching can persist for a few weeks even after mites are killed - this is normal and part of the skin’s healing response.

Diagnosis

Scabies is usually diagnosed by examining the rash and discussing symptoms. In some cases, a healthcare professional may take a skin scraping to confirm the presence of mites or eggs under a microscope.

If one person in a household has scabies, everyone in close contact should be treated at the same time, even if they have no symptoms - this prevents re-infestation.

Treatments

Effective scabies treatment involves both prescription medication and environmental hygiene measures.

Topical Treatments

The mainstay of treatment is a mite-killing (scabicidal) cream or lotion, applied to the whole body from the neck down:

• Permethrin 5% Cream - the first-line treatment for scabies; kills mites and eggs with one or two applications, seven days apart.
• Derbac-M Lotion (Malathion 0.5%) - an alternative treatment used when permethrin isn’t suitable.

All close contacts should be treated simultaneously, even if they don’t show symptoms.

Important: Apply the medicine to clean, dry skin and leave it on for the recommended time before washing off. Reapply after handwashing.

Itch Relief

Mild antihistamines or soothing creams can help reduce post-treatment itching.

Environmental Decontamination

• Wash bedding, clothing, and towels at 60°C.
• Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in a bag for at least 72 hours to kill mites.
• Vacuum mattresses, furniture, and carpets thoroughly.

Prevention

After successful treatment, scabies can return if preventive steps aren’t followed:

• Avoid close skin contact until treatment is complete.
• Treat all household members and close contacts.
• Maintain good hygiene and wash fabrics regularly.
• Avoid sharing towels, bedding, or clothing.

Misconceptions

“Scabies only affects people with poor hygiene.”
Completely false - scabies mites can affect anyone, regardless of cleanliness.

“You can catch scabies from animals.”
Human scabies mites only live on humans; animal mites cause different infections.

“If the itching stops, I can stop treatment early.”
Even if symptoms improve, mites and eggs can still survive - always complete the full course.

“It’s not contagious once treated.”
You can remain contagious until after your second treatment, so always follow timing instructions carefully.