How To Prevent Scabies?

Posted on Tue, 11 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 Answered on

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : There are six or more cases of scabies at the nursing home where I work. Two are residents whom I dress and bath and change. They've been treated. I have never had scabies, would doing things like bleach and espom salt baths and using sulfur soap ahead of time prevent developing a rash?

Answered by Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes but not completely

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir

Welcome to Healthcaremagic

I would definitely suggest you to continue with epsom salt bath, bleach bath and sulfur soaps.

But because you are already in close contact with post scabies people,i would ask you to go for proper ointment for prevention.If i would have been your treating doctor, i would ask you to take Permethrin 5% cream.Permethrin is usually left on the skin for 10-14 hours and then washed off in the shower. It is best to apply permethrin at bedtime and then wash it off in the morning.

Please visit a nearest physician and discuss on the same.

Hope i answered your query.Feel free to ask more.
Dr.Moumita Chakraborty

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (3 days later)

Thank you for the information. I know symptoms are supposed to show up from about 2 weeks to as long as 6-8 weeks. What does the first symptom usually look like? Why is there no immediate rash or itch when its a first exposure to scabies? basically what will alert me that I have it?

Answered by Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Body takes time to react, eventually eruptions will show

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,

Welcome back.

In the beginning there are no symptoms, meaning, if a person has never(like you) had scabies before, symptoms may take as long as 4-6 weeks to begin.It is the time taken for your body to react against it.If any body is having scabies second time,it reacts faster.

You should look for small papules, vesicles, and burrows in flexor aspects of the wrists,interdigital web spaces of the hands, dorsal feet,axillae,elbows,waist,
buttocks and genitalia.Look for serpiginous, grayish, threadlike elevations in the superficial epidermis, ranging from 2-10 mm long.

Hope i answered your query.If you have no further clarifications,please rate this answer and close this discussion.Thank You!
Dr,Moumita XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj