Scabies

Scabies Treatment in Nottingham

Serving: Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Mansfield, Sheffield and the wider Midlands area

Are you experiencing persistent itching that worsens at night? Scabies is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and social status. At Park Private Clinic, we provide confidential and effective Scabies Treatment in a discreet, professional environment.

What Is Scabies?

Scabies is a skin infestation caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. These microscopic parasites tunnel just beneath the skin’s surface, where they live and lay eggs, triggering an allergic reaction that causes intense itching and a distinctive rash.

Though tiny (less than 0.5mm in length), these mites can cause significant discomfort. The female mite burrows into the upper layer of skin, laying eggs that hatch and create more mites. This cycle continues until appropriate scabies treatment is administered.

Recognising the Symptoms

The hallmark symptom of scabies is intense itching, particularly at night. However, it’s important to note that symptoms may not appear for 2-6 weeks after initial infection if you’ve never had scabies before. In subsequent infections, symptoms can develop much more quickly, typically within 1-4 days.

Common Symptoms Include:

Intense itching: Particularly severe at night or after a hot shower/bath
Distinctive rash: Typically appears as small, raised, pimple-like bumps that may become scaly
Burrow tracks: Thin, grey, brown, or red lines on the skin where the mites have tunneled
Crusty, scaled skin: In severe cases or when left untreated

Common Locations:

In adults and older children, scabies typically affects:

Between the fingers and around the wrists
Elbows and armpits
Around the waistline and navel
Genital areas
Buttocks and back of knees
Breasts (particularly around the nipples in women)

In infants and young children, scabies can also affect:

The scalp and face
Palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Neck and shoulders

A particularly severe form called crusted scabies (or Norwegian scabies) can develop in people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, or those with disabilities that prevent scratching. This variant is highly contagious due to the large number of mites involved.

What does it feel like to have scabies?

Many patients describe the itching as “crawling” sensations under the skin that become dramatically worse at night. The persistent nature of this itching often leads to sleep disturbances and can significantly impact quality of life.

How Scabies Spreads

Understanding how scabies spreads is crucial for prevention and ensuring effective Scabies Treatment for all affected individuals in a household or close contact group.

Scabies is transmitted primarily through:

Prolonged skin-to-skin contact: Typically at least 15-20 minutes of direct contact is needed
Sexual contact: Common mode of transmission between adults
Household contact: Sharing beds, towels, or clothing with an infected person
Institutional settings: Can spread in settings like nursing homes, childcare facilities, or prisons

It’s important to understand that:

Casual brief contact such as handshakes or hugs rarely spreads scabies
Scabies can spread even before a person develops symptoms
The mites can survive for 48-72 hours off the human body, making transmission via bedding or clothing possible
Pets do not spread human scabies (they may carry their own species-specific mites that cause mange)

Diagnosis

If you suspect you have scabies, seeking professional medical advice is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate Scabies Treatment.

Diagnostic Methods:

Visual examination: A healthcare provider will examine the rash and look for characteristic burrows
Microscopic identification: The doctor may gently scrape the skin to collect samples for microscopic examination to identify mites, eggs, or mite faeces
Dermatoscopy: A special instrument may be used to examine the skin closely

At Park Private Clinic, our experienced healthcare professionals are skilled in identifying scabies and differentiating it from other skin conditions that may present with similar symptoms.

Treatment Options

Prompt and proper Scabies Treatment is essential not only for the affected individual but also for close contacts to prevent reinfestation. At Park Private Clinic, we offer comprehensive Scabies Treatment plans tailored to each patient’s situation.

Medical Treatments:

The primary Scabies Treatment involves prescription scabicides—medications that kill the scabies mites and their eggs. These typically include:

Permethrin cream (5%): Applied from neck to toes and washed off after 8-14 hours
Malathion liquid (0.5%): Applied in the same manner and washed off after 24 hours
Ivermectin tablets: An oral medication sometimes prescribed for severe cases or when topical treatments have failed

Treatment Protocol:

Effective Scabies Treatment requires:

Proper application: The medication must be applied to the entire body from the neck down (including under nails, between toes and fingers, and genital areas)
Simultaneous treatment: All household members and close contacts should be treated simultaneously, even if not showing symptoms
Environmental measures: Bedding, clothing, and towels used within the past 72 hours should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat or isolated in sealed bags for at least 72 hours
Follow-up treatment: A second application is often recommended 7-14 days after the first to ensure all mites are eliminated

Book Your Confidential Consultation Today

At Park Private Clinic, we offer confidential consultations for scabies and other health concerns. Our healthcare professionals provide discreet, non-judgemental care and can advise on the most appropriate testing and treatment options for your specific situation.