A-Z of Illnesses
Scabies
What is it?
Scabies is caused by little creatures that make their home in your skin.
They make you itch a lot. They like warm wet skin.
Even after treatment the itching can last for up to three weeks until the skin recovers.
Treatment
If you think you have scabies go to your doctor. They have a special cream. Everyone in close contact (like living in the same home) should be treated and clothes washed in very hot water. If possible dry them with a hair dryer.
You can go back to school the day after you have started the treatment.
How do you catch it?
Scabies move from one person to another with skin contact, especially with hands, but it takes a few minutes for this to happen.
It can spread between two people if they use the same bed or clothes! But the scabies don't live very long once they are away from the body.
