Scabies: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Scabies?
A primary care doctor or a dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, usually diagnoses and treats scabies. A pediatrician, a children's doctor, often cares for children with it. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is scabies?
Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite, which is a very small bug. It burrows into the top layer of the skin, where it lives and lays its eggs. Scabies is common all over the world, and it can affect anyone. You cannot get scabies from a pet. Pets get a different mite infection called mange.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are intense itching, especially at night, and a rash that looks like pimples.
- Intense itching, especially at night.
- A pimple-like rash.
- Sores caused by scratching.
- Tiny burrows, which are small tunnels the female mite makes just under the skin.
The rash often shows up between the fingers and in the skin folds of the wrist, elbow, knee, or armpit. Infants and very young children often get a rash on the head, face, neck, palms, and soles of the feet. The first time you get scabies, symptoms can take four to eight weeks to show up. You can still spread scabies to others during this time.
Causes and who gets it
Scabies spreads most often through direct, long skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. Less often, it spreads by sharing clothing, towels, or bedding used by an infected person. This can happen much more easily when the person has crusted scabies. Scabies spreads quickly in crowded places where people often touch skin to skin. Hospitals, child-care centers, and nursing homes are examples. Scabies can easily infect sex partners and other household members. A person can spread scabies even without symptoms.
Scabies mites generally do not survive more than two to three days away from human skin.
How doctors diagnose it
A health care provider diagnoses scabies by looking at the skin rash and finding burrows in the skin. Your provider will likely try to confirm it by finding the mite, mite eggs, or feces (waste). They may scrape your skin or use the tip of a needle to remove the mite from the end of its burrow. The sample is then looked at under a microscope. A person can still have scabies even if no mites are found.
Treatment
Scabies is treated with medicines called scabicides, which kill the mites. Scabicides require a doctor's prescription. Permethrin cream, which goes on the skin, is a first-line medicine, meaning one that doctors try first. Ivermectin tablets, which you swallow, are the other first-line choice. Ivermectin is not approved by the FDA for scabies, but it works about as well as permethrin. Your provider can pick other medicines if needed, based on cost, side effects, and what you prefer.
Cream or lotion goes on all areas of the body from the neck down to the feet and toes. For infants and children, it also goes on the entire head and neck. It is left on for the recommended time before washing it off. Two or more applications, about a week apart, may be needed to get rid of all the mites. Crusted scabies needs both a pill and a cream or lotion.
Itching may continue for several weeks after treatment, even if all the mites and eggs are killed.
Treat all household members and close contacts at the same time as the person with scabies. Wash all clothing, towels, and bedding used next to the skin during the three days before treatment. Wash them in hot water and dry them on the hot cycle, or dry-clean them. Seal items you cannot wash in a closed plastic bag for at least 72 hours. Avoid skin-to-skin contact with others until treatment is complete. Children and adults can usually return to childcare, school, or work the day after treatment. Tell people you had close skin contact with in the past two months so they can seek treatment.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you think you have scabies. Call your provider if itching is still there two to four weeks after treatment, or if new burrows or a pimple-like rash appear. You may need treatment again.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can check your skin and prescribe a cream, lotion, or pill that kills scabies mites. They can also help you plan treatment for the people you live with.
Common questions
Can you get scabies from a pet?
No, you cannot get scabies from a pet. Pets get a different mite infection called mange.
How long does itching last after scabies treatment?
Itching may continue for several weeks after treatment, even if all the mites and eggs are killed. If it is still there two to four weeks after treatment, or new burrows appear, you may need treatment again.
Can I buy a scabies treatment without a prescription?
No, scabicides require a doctor's prescription. No non-prescription products have been tested and approved to treat scabies.
Does getting scabies mean I am not clean?
No, anyone can get scabies. It spreads through close skin contact, often in crowded places.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Scabies
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About Scabies
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Clinical Care of Scabies
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
