Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed — Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic & Laser
Advice for Scabies Patients
A patient advice sheet — 7 practical points. Reviewed and updated by Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed, July 2026.
Last reviewed: July 2026
The advice
- Scabies is a tiny mite spread by close skin contact — anyone can catch it, whatever their hygiene.
- Most important: treat ALL household members and close contacts on the same night, even without symptoms — symptoms can take 2–6 weeks to appear after infection.
- Cream method (permethrin 5%): apply to the whole body from the neck down to the soles (in infants include the scalp, avoiding eyes and mouth) and under the nails; leave 8–12 hours overnight, wash off, and repeat after one week.
- The same day: machine-wash clothes, bedding and towels used in the last 3 days at 60°C and hot-dry them; whatever cannot be washed goes in a sealed bag for 3 days.
- Itching for 2–4 weeks after successful treatment is normal (a reaction to mite remnants) and does not mean failure — do not repeat the cream on your own; overuse irritates the skin.
- Avoid close contact until the whole household completes the first treatment.
- See your doctor if pus-filled spots appear or new symptoms continue beyond two weeks.
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