Contact a healthcare professional for diagnosis and prescription treatment
Treat all household/close contacts at the same time as the infected person
Use prescribed scabicide exactly as directed (commonly permethrin 5% cream or ivermectin tablets)
Apply permethrin 5% cream to the entire body as instructed, including between fingers, under nails, and genital area
For permethrin, follow the required leave-on time, then wash off thoroughly
Repeat the treatment if your clinician instructs it (often a second application 7–14 days later)
If using ivermectin, take it only as prescribed and follow any repeat-dose instructions
Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used within the last 3 days in hot water and dry on high heat
Items that can’t be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least 3 days (or as directed by your clinician)
Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture
Avoid close skin-to-skin contact until treatment is completed and symptoms are resolving
Manage itching with clinician-recommended options (e.g., antihistamines or topical anti-itch treatments)
Expect itching to persist for 2–4 weeks after successful treatment; continue follow-up if symptoms worsen or new burrows appear
Seek urgent re-evaluation if there are signs of skin infection (increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever) or treatment failure
Follow up with your healthcare professional if no improvement after the recommended treatment course