Hands, especially between the fingers and around nail beds Arms, especially around the elbows and wrists Anywhere covered by clothing, like the glutes, waistline, genitals, or nipples

In children, itching can be so intense that it causes them to cry.

Signs of infection include increased redness, swelling, pain, or pus or discharge from the sores. If you believe your rash is infected, call your doctor right away. Your doctor can prescribe an oral or topical antibiotic to treat the infection. These bacteria can also lead to inflammation of the kidneys and sometimes sepsis, which is a life-threatening bacterial infection of the blood. If you have symptoms like a fever, chills, or vomiting, visit your doctor to have them diagnose you with sepsis. To avoid this, try to be gentle on your skin and do not scratch it. If you can’t help yourself, consider wearing mittens or wrapping your fingertips with band-aids to keep yourself from damaging the skin.

Another consequence of the impaired immune response is that itching and the rash may be less severe or totally absent. This is because itching and a rash are immune responses, which may not happen in a weakened immune system. You are at risk for the development of crusted scabies if you are elderly, have a weakened immune system, or are living with HIV/AIDS, lymphoma, or leukemia. You are also at risk if you have received an organ transplant and have any condition that may prevent you from itching or scratching, such as a spinal cord injury, paralysis, or loss of sensation.

Keep in mind that you can still be infested with scabies even if mites, eggs, or fecal matter cannot be found. An infestation of scabies averages 10 to 15 mites found over the entire body.

Scabies is sometimes confused with other insect bites or stings, like bed bugs. You can identify bed bug bites by looking for red, raised bites in groups of three. It can also be confused with eczema, which is a chronic skin condition involving inflammation of the skin. The red pimple-like rash of eczema represents an allergic reaction. [7] X Research source People with eczema can also get scabies, and the condition is typically more severe for them. You could also have folliculitis, which is an inflammation, and usually infection, in the area associated with a hair follicle. This conditions causes small white-headed pimples to crop up on a reddened base around or near hair follicles. [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source It may be confused with psoriasis as well. Psoriasis is diagnosed by excessive growth of skin cells that leads to the formation of thick, silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches. [9] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

After 1 treatment, wait 7 days, then do a second treatment. This cream may cause stinging or itching, which are normal side effects. Talk to your doctor or pediatrician about treating infants and young children with scabies. Permethrin cream is safe for infants as young as 1 month old, but most experts recommend also applying it to the head and neck area for infants and young children.

Crotamiton is considered safe when used as directed. However, frequent treatment failure has been reported with this scabicide, which means it isn’t the most effective or widely used anymore.

Lindane is not safe for young children, women who are pregnant or nursing, or people with weakened immune systems. Since lindane is potentially neurotoxic, meaning it can cause damage to the brain or nervous system, it is typically saved for those who have been resistant to other treatments first.

You can also try calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream.

Talk to your doctor before giving antihistamines to a young child or infant.

Crowded conditions are a common cause for scabies outbreaks. Areas like prisons, barracks, child-care and elder-care facilities, and schools are common sites. Certain groups of people, like young children, mothers, sexually active adults, and residents of nursing homes are more at-risk for scabies.

Scabies mites can only survive for 48 to 72 hours away from human skin, which is why keeping an item in a plastic bag will kill them. The day scabies treatment is started, vacuum all carpet and furniture in your home. Throw away the bag or empty and thoroughly wash the canister after you’ve finished vacuuming. If the canister is not removable, wipe it clean with a damp paper towel to remove any scabies mites. Don’t worry about treating your pets. The scabies mite cannot survive on other animals, and other animals cannot transmit scabies.