What is scabies?

Scabies is an infection with a small, 0.2-0.4 mm yellowish brown mite. The mite digs burrows in the upper layer of the skin and lays its eggs here.

In adults, you can often see the burrows at the wrist and between the fingers. In young children, you can also see the burrows on the face and the scalp.

The symptom of scabies is a very uncomfortable itching that may result in eczema. The itching will become worse when you are in the warmth of your bed.

Crusted scabies

In patients with a weakened immune system and the elderly, scabies may in seldom cases become Crusted scabies that is often without itching. Crusted scabies is not a special scab mite but scabies with thousands of scab mites in crusted, scaly skin.

Scabies is contagious!

Scabies is contagious but harmless. Please note that all persons in the household must be treated, even though they have no symptoms.

When are you no longer be contagious?

You will be regarded as no longer contagious 8-12 hours after the first application of Nix® .

How is scabies treated?

Scabies can be treated with a cream called Nix® . Nix®  can be bought over the counter at the pharmacy.

In some cases, the treatment is to be repeated; however, there must be 7 days between the treatsments.

If you are living with a person who has scabies, but you have no symptoms yourself, one treatment will be sufficient.

In rare cases, e.g. at crusted scabies, it will also be necessary to give treatment in the form of Stromectol tablets. You can read about Stromectol in the patient information found at the website of the Dermatology Unit.

Warnings and cautions

Hormone cream or prednisone treatment

If you are being treated with corticosteroids (e.g. hormone cream or prednisone), this treatment should be stopped before the Nix®  treatment as it may worsen the scabies attack.

Pregnant and breast-feeding women

Pregnant and breast-feeding women may be treated with Nix®  after special consultation with a physician.

Children under the age of 2

Children under the age of 2 is only treated after special consultation with a physician.

Avoid contact with eyes

In case of contact with eyes, rinse well with plenty of water.

How to use Nix® 

Apply a thin layer of cream carefully on clean and dry skin. Remember also to apply the cream between fingers and toes, on the cuticles, under the arms, in the navel, on the genital organs and around the rectum.

The cream should remain on the skin for 8 to 12 hours before it is washed off.

It is best to apply the cream in the evening and wash it off next morning.

Where to apply Nix® 

For adults and children over 3 years

The cream is applied on the entire body; however, not on the face or the scalp.

For children under 3 years

The cream is applied on the entire body; also on the face and the scalp.

Children under 2 years must only be treated after special consultation with a physician.

How much cream to use

Adults and children over 12 years

Up to one tube.

Children 6-12 years

Up to half a tube.

Children 2 months to 5 years

Up to a quarter of a tube.

Save a little amount of cream (Nix® ) for after you have washed your hands during the 8-12 hours where the treatment is to be effective.

If the skin is still itching

Itchiness in the skin may continue for up to 4 weeks after the treatment. Therefore, itching does not necessarily mean that the treatment is not effective. You can relieve the itching by using a moisturising cream.

Side-effects

As with all other medication, Nix®  may result in side-effects; but not everyone will experience sideeffects.

Possible side-effects are rash or a prickling sensation in the skin; however, these are rare.

Measures in the home

Clothes that have been used in the last four days must be
-     washed at 60 degrees.

Also remember bedclothes, towels and outdoor clothes such as jacket, gloves, hats and scarf.

Clothes, slippers and other shoes that cannot be washed can be placed either
-     in the freezer for 24 hours or
-     in a plastic bag for four days.

Living rooms are cleaned thoroughly. Furniture and carpets are vacuum-cleaned. Duvets, pillows and mattresses are aired thoroughly. Bed linen is washed.

The mites die after four days without contact with the skin.

For residents in institutions, the staff is recommended to read more about when to isolate the residents at the website of the Danish 
Health Authority www.sst.dk.