Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by the human scabies mite. It often causes intense itching at night and bumps or burrows. All close contacts usually need treatment at the same time, even without symptoms, to stop a cycle of reinfestation.
- Intense itching, often especially at night and sometimes also in household members or partners.
- Small red or skin-coloured bumps, scratch marks and sometimes thin, winding burrows.
- Read the complete application instructions beforehand and make sure the back, cleft between the buttocks, navel, nail edges and other specified areas are covered.
- Reapply the medicine to your hands if you wash them during the treatment period.
- Get in touch if you suspect scabies so that the medicine, application schedule and contact management are correct.
- For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.
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General information, not personal medical advice
This article has been carefully prepared but may contain errors or become outdated as medical knowledge changes. It does not replace diagnosis, examination or treatment by your own GP. Always discuss personal questions and starting, stopping or changing medicines or treatments with your own GP.
For a life-threatening situation, call Ambulance 912. For urgent care outside office hours, call HAP 9252.
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