Scabies Treatment: How to Get Rid of the Itch Fast

If you’ve ever felt tiny, relentless bumps and a night‑time itch that won’t quit, you might be dealing with scabies. It’s caused by a mite that burrows under the skin, and the good news is that it’s fully treatable. Below you’ll find the most common medicines, simple home steps, and when to call a doctor – all in plain language.

First‑line medicines: What works best

The go‑to prescription for most people is permethrin 5% cream. You spread a thin layer over your entire body, leave it on for 8‑14 hours, then wash it off. One application usually clears the mites, but a repeat dose a week later can be smart to catch any that survived.

If permethrin isn’t available or you’re allergic, crotamiton (Eurax) is an over‑the‑counter alternative in many places. It’s less potent, so you might need to apply it for two nights in a row.

For severe or crusted scabies, doctors sometimes prescribe oral ivermectin. The typical dose is 200 µg/kg on day 1, then again on day 2. It’s easy to take, but you still need to clean your environment to avoid re‑infection.

Home steps that speed up recovery

Medication does the heavy lifting, but cleaning up the mites’ hideouts matters too. Wash all clothing, towels, and bed sheets in hot water (at least 50 °C) and dry on high heat. Items that can’t be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for a week – the mites can’t survive that long without a host.Vacuum your carpets and upholstery thoroughly. Vacuuming doesn’t kill the mites, but it removes eggs and debris that could cause a new outbreak.

Avoid scratching. It feels impossible, but scratching spreads the rash and can lead to infections. Keep nails short and consider using a cold compress or calamine lotion to soothe the itch while the medicine works.

If you share a living space, all close contacts need treatment, even if they have no symptoms. Scabies spreads quickly, and treating everyone at once stops the cycle.

When should you see a doctor? If the rash lasts more than two weeks after treatment, if you develop blisters, or if you have a weakened immune system, get professional advice. Sometimes a different medication or a longer course is needed.

Bottom line: a single prescription cream, thorough washing, and treating everybody in the house usually ends a scabies outbreak in a week or two. Stick to the steps, don’t skip the repeat dose, and you’ll be back to itch‑free life fast.