Scabies

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

To prevent re-infestation and to prevent the mites from spreading to other people, take these steps:

  • Clean all clothes and linen. Use hot, soapy water to wash all clothing, towels and bedding you used at least three days before treatment. Dry with high heat. Dry-clean items you can't wash at home.
  • Starve the mites. Consider placing items you can't wash in a sealed plastic bag and leaving it in an out-of-the-way place, such as in your garage, for a couple of weeks. Mites die if they don't eat for a week.
References
  1. Scabies. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00024-9&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00024-9--s0035&uniq=179974528&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00024-9%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9%3BdisplayedEid%3D4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00024-9--s0035. Accessed Jan. 27, 2010.
  2. Scabies. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/scabies/index.html. Accessed Jan. 27, 2010.
  3. Scabies. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_scabies.html. Accessed Jan. 27, 2010.
  4. Andrews RM, et al. Skin disorders, including pyoderma, scabies, and tinea infections. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:1421.
  5. Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 16, 2010.
DS00451 March 30, 2010

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