scabies

[zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

I have had scabies for about two months now and can't seem to shake them!  Help what an i doing wrong!  Non of the treatments seem to work!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Sometimes itching of scabies persists for a few days after completion of treatment also and sometimes there may be recurrent and chronic cases which may require oral treatment of ivermectin. It is basically reserved for very severe, chronic and stubborn scabies that does not respond to conventional therapies. So you should continue the permethrin treatment for a few days more and if the symptoms persist then oral ivermectin may need to be prescribed. There is a rule that all family members of the patient of scabies also need to be treated even if they do not have any itching or rashes. Hence please ensure that all your family members also get the topical treatment. If the itching persists even after treatment completion then oral antihistaminics can be taken because itching of scabies takes some days to settle down.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[maatson]

Some times a delayed hypersensitivity to dead mites might lead to persistent itching. This may be the cause here. No use using anti-scabicides in such situation.Only antiallergics help here.