Scabies

Refugee Health Programs

March 2009
 Scabies
Scabies is a skin problem caused by a
bug called a mite.

A female mite lays eggs under the skin of

a human and stays inside until she dies.

We cannot see scabies because they are

very small.
Adult mite
 Symptoms
Scabies only affects the skin, outside the body.

Scabies causes extreme itching, which is usually worse at night.

Rashes, blisters, or bumps may appear.

Rashes and itching may last for 2-3 weeks, even after being treated.
 Where Scabies Is Mainly Found

In between the fingers

Around the head and neck

Wrist, nipple, elbow, waist, armpit,

buttocks, penis, shoulder

Hands and feet (especially in children)

 If You Think You Have Scabies
If you think you might have scabies, check
with a doctor or nurse.

Try not to scratch: scratching scabies can

lead to skin sores that can become
infected.

Dont share personal items with others.

 How Does Scabies Spread?
Scabies is passed from one person to another:

Through skinto-skin contact,

By touching an infected persons items

(such as clothing),

Through sexual contact.

Remember! Until you are cured, you can continue to

pass scabies on to others.
 Prevention
If you know somebody who has scabies, try not to
touch their skin.

Do not share clothes with an infected person.

Wash bedding in hot water and dry at high

temperatures (130 degrees Fahrenheit) for at
least 20 minutes.

If you are not able to wash something, sealing it in

a plastic bag will kill the bugs.
Infection around the arm
Scabies on the hand. The red
spots cause itching.
Scabies in genital areas
 Treatments
The only treatment for scabies is a medicine that must
be prescribed by a doctor.

Itching a scabies rash can make the infection worse.

People living in the same house, or who has had skin-to-

skin contact with an infected person should also take
medicine.

Everybody taking the medicine should use it at the same

time so the bugs dont come back.
 Scabies
Refugee Health Programs
Heartland Health Outreach
1331 W Albion Chicago, IL 60626
www.heartlandalliance.org/refugeehealth
773.751.4166 ph

This multi-media document was made possible with funding from the Office of
Refugee Resettlement, Department of Health and Human Services provided to
the Illinois Department of Public Health.
March 2009