Topic Overview

To successfully treat scabies, all members of an affected household must be treated at the same time. Follow these instructions when using medicine to treat scabies:

• Take a lukewarm (not hot) bath or shower. Dry off well with a towel. Do not share this towel with others.
• Apply the medicine according to your doctor's directions. In most cases, the medicine is a cream or lotion that is applied in a thin, even layer over the whole body from the neck down.
• On infants and children, apply the medicine to the scalp, face, and neck as well as the rest of the body. Avoid the area around the mouth and eyes.
• Trim fingernails and toenails short. Brush the medicine thoroughly under the fingernails.
• Leave the medicine on for as long as your doctor recommends.
• Wash the medicine off with lukewarm, soapy water, and dry the skin.
• Put on clean clothing and change your bed linens. Wash towels, clothing, and bed linens in hot water in a washing machine or have them dry-cleaned.

Do not apply the scabies medicine more often than is recommended by your doctor.