Quick answer
What is scabies?
Scabies is an intensely itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites burrowing into the skin. The itch is often worse at night. It spreads through close skin contact and is treated with a cream or lotion applied to the whole body — and everyone in the household needs treating at the same time.
What is scabies?
Scabies is a skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin and trigger an intensely itchy reaction. It is common, very contagious through close contact, and — although unpleasant — straightforward to treat once recognised.
Symptoms
The hallmark is intense itching, classically worse at night. You may also see:
- a raised rash or small spots
- fine, wavy, slightly raised lines (mite burrows), often between the fingers, on the wrists, or around the waist
- scratch marks and irritated skin
Symptoms can take several weeks to appear after first catching it.
How it spreads
Scabies spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, and sometimes through shared bedding, towels or clothing. It moves easily through households and close contacts — which shapes how it is treated.
Treatment
Treatment is a cream or lotion applied to the whole body, not just the itchy parts, left on for the stated time and usually repeated a week later. Crucially, everyone in the household and any close contacts must be treated at the same time, even if they have no symptoms — otherwise the mites simply pass back and forth. Wash bedding, towels and clothes at a high temperature on the day of the first treatment.
Itching can continue for a few weeks after successful treatment while the skin calms down; a pharmacist can suggest something to ease it.
When to see a GP
See a GP if treatment has not worked, the skin looks infected, the diagnosis is uncertain, or for babies, elderly people and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Common questions
- What are the symptoms of scabies?
- Intense itching — typically worse at night — with a raised rash or spots, and sometimes fine, wavy lines (burrows) on the skin, often between the fingers, on wrists or around the waist.
- How do you catch scabies?
- Through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it, and sometimes via shared bedding or clothing. It spreads easily within households, which is why everyone is treated together.
- How is scabies treated?
- With a cream or lotion applied to the whole body (not just itchy areas), left on for the time stated, and usually repeated a week later. Wash bedding, towels and clothes at a high temperature on the day of first treatment.
- Why am I still itching after treatment?
- Itching can continue for a few weeks after successful treatment as the skin settles — this does not necessarily mean it has failed. If itching persists beyond that, or new burrows appear, see a GP.