How do you know if you are cured of scabies

After 4 months of mis-diagnosis, the medical specialists I've recently seen believe I have Scabies.  I've done considerable research on my own and feel this most closely matches the symptoms I'm experiencing.  The ONLY symptoms I can't relate to is the "burrowing", often referred to as "pale gray lines" near the bite location, and it's regard as generally affecting the male genitals (I don't have any issues there).  It's definitely the most frustrating and depressing malady I've had to deal with.  The relentless itching, especially during overnight, does not lessen even with anti-histamines such as Reactine and Chlor-Tripolon. The only time I can get some sleep is AFTER the mites have "feasted" on me....around 6 am!  

This may sound drastic but I've had some success on sleepless nights by spraying myself with insect repellent. I'm not sure if the brand ("6-12 Plus"...says it "keeps mosquitos and Black Flies from biting" ) I'm using is reducing the itchiness because of it's general "numbing" effect on my skin, or if it's actually effective on the mites.  Either way, it at least allows me to get some sleep.

Although I'm fairly convinced that this IS Scabies, I am also aware that there are other mites that feed on Human Blood and can "mimic" Scabies.  

During the mis-diagnosis process, doctors were prescribing steroid creams.....Betamethasone Valerate 0.1% (Betaderm Cream) and Nerisone Cream 0.1%.  The first one was precribed for my initial outbreak, and the other is for my hands (where the condition has recently spread to). They both have a burning sensation when applied.  Does anyone know if these are effective to at least possibly minimize the itching? (According to my Pharacist, that is their inntended purpose.) I find after using them, the relative "height" of the bites seems to increase. And I'm more tempted to scratch several hours after these creams have been "applied".

I've been prescribed the Permethrin 5% as well as the Permethrin 1% Conditioner for the scalp. And now I'm checking into the most effective solution for me personally, in terms of "procedure".  

I live in a private residence, a single-family home, by myself. I sleep on a waterbed, and have been washing the sheets every few days since the condition has been properly (?) diagnosed (4-5 days ago). I have numerous Persian area rugs throughout the house that I suspect will be infected.  I've decided my best course of action is to check into a hotel for one night. Then use the Permethrin cream overnight. In the morning, I intend on sealing the clothing I came with in a ziplock bag, and putting on fresh clothes that will be uncontaminated.  I then plan to move to a different hotel room for 7 more nights before returning home.  (This may seem drastic, but my concern is that the sheets in my original room could possibly be affected.)

My hope is that, if there is no "human host" in my residence for 8 days, the mites will have all died there.  If anyone can see any flaws in my thinking, I would appreciate constructive feedback.

The only other consideration(s) I have is/are post-treatment.  I've been reading about "soaking in Sulphur baths nightly" to kill newly born mites. Also, should I consider a 2nd treatment of the Permethrin after 1 week?

My doctor recommends waiting to see how the first treatment goes for 4-6 weeks.

I'm reading conflicting reports on the need to wash things in hot water. Although I've only found one Internet search that supports this, it is from an American Dermatological site. Their reasoning is that any mites will be eliminated in a normal wash cycle. (However, I MUST EMPHASIZE, this is the only site that I've researched so far that recommends this.)

Some of the web sites that I've found which I think may be the most reliable and informative...The Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatalogy.

I wish all of you (and me!) the best with this persistent condition.  I'll report back if I have "good luck" with my "planned solution".

Dear ANYONE that thinks they might have SCABIES!!!

DO NOT GO TO YOUR REGULAR DICTOR!!!

DO NOT GO TO A DERMATOLOGIST!!!

Go ONLY to an "INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST".

You may have to go to a second "Infectious Disease Specialist" because the first one has failed to review the NEW "SCABIES" discovery information that is NEW as of late 2012.

Once the "Infectious Disease Specialist" has pronounced you CURED.

No new bumps/scabies sites after X number of days.

The itching will last for UP TO TWO MONTHS.

The cure for the ITCHING, (after and only after no new bumps/scabies sites) is 10 mg per day of Singulair or it's generic.

Be aware that you may have gotten your initial infestation from a visit to a nursing home.

GOD bless you.

Dear ANYONE that thinks they might have SCABIES!!!

DO NOT GO TO YOUR REGULAR DOCTOR!!!

DO NOT GO TO A DERMATOLOGIST!!!

Go ONLY to an "INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST".

You may have to go to a second "Infectious Disease Specialist" because the first one has failed to review the NEW "SCABIES" discovery information that is NEW as of late 2012.

Once the "Infectious Disease Specialist" has pronounced you CURED.

No new bumps/scabies sites after X number of days.

The itching will last for UP TO TWO MONTHS.

The cure for the ITCHING, (after and only after no new bumps/scabies sites) is 10 mg per day of Singulair or it's generic.

Be aware that you may have gotten your initial infestation from a visit to a nursing home.

GOD bless you.

Dear ANYONE that thinks they might have SCABIES!!!

DO NOT GO TO YOUR REGULAR DOCTOR!!!

DO NOT GO TO A DERMATOLOGIST!!!

Go ONLY to an "INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST".

You may have to go to a second "Infectious Disease Specialist" because the first one has failed to review the NEW "SCABIES" discovery information that is NEW as of late 2012.

Once the "Infectious Disease Specialist" has pronounced you CURED.

No new bumps/scabies sites after X number of days.

The itching will last for UP TO TWO MONTHS.

The cure for the ITCHING, (after and only after no new bumps/scabies sites) is 10 mg per day of Singulair or it's generic.

Be aware that you may have gotten your initial infestation from a visit to a nursing home.

GOD bless you.

Cassey, I know this feels like a nightmare- My daughter got this, from Camp we think -and soon so did I  -I initially went into a panic because I got on lline and read all the horror stories - My childs prediatric Dr was the most helpful because they see this quite a bit.  Two treatments of permethrin is usally sufficent -you will feel like you are still infested- it is just as much mental if not more then physical. However, the Dr told us, head lice is more difficult to get rid of. Do your cleaning, towels, bedding clothes worn for the last three days-  thorough vacumming and if it makes you feel better a permethrin spray for furniture. Because I was so freaked out I have been washing non stop however -my child seems to be fine... and her Dr said I did not need to do so much. After the 1st applicatication, you are more itchy - and new rashes will be seen - it is dead mites causing that. If new bumps appear after 5-6 days after treatment use a 2nd application on the 7th day..we saw nothing new but did it anyway as a precaution. It is necessary to let anyone know you or infected family members have had close contact with...there is a 2-6 week incubation period so if those people are not treated and you have close contact it can cause reinfection - You wont know because they have no symptoms initially due to the incubation period. Regular cleaning, nothing insane should be enough. Mites die within 48-72 hrs of no human contact- they need a host.If they do not have one they will die- so bagging unused items for a few days is good and not using extra rooms- these do not live forever in carpets or on furniture or dust as I have seen posted -I used bleach for the bathroom and replaced my shower curtain. Bleached all hard surfaces. Regular cleaning is really all that is necessary. It is normal to feel after going through this, that every itch is related -but it is not. It will not live on pencils, and keyboards etc.. They travel very slow -they do not jump -they dont live for ever in dust.It takes prolonged skin to skin contact to contract- A handshake or a hug will not spread it , touching your clothing as in putting clean laundry away will not infect your clothing. It is horrible but will go away - I promise.

Hi i am nikita iam 14 years old i seriously dieing right now iam inintching everywhere and its 2:49 am in the morning iam telling you people help me i cant sleep since 9 pm this is how t all began i think it began 5 months ago or something it wasnt that bad it was just i didnt even fel anything so i didnt really care but my little sister had it before me shew would be like iam intching and that and i would never like opay attention to her and then one nightn it hit me it was soo bad i coundnt even cry i didnt really do anything for like 4 months but then my mum made an appointment at the doctor so we went she said she coudnt find the scabies so she just gave me medicine 50 gram of permetrine the first time i used it i surfed soooooo bad it felt like my skin was i cant even exoplain it like after that it kinda stopted 3 weeks later it started vcoming back now i did it the second time thinking i wont hurt that much but i was wrong i cant sleep my whole body is suffering from it the more i scratch the worser it getsi feel anoyed and angry i really want to just di someone please help me!!!!!!

I'm a clergy person who contracted scabies from a hotel room while on vacation. I'm going to share here what I learned and how I cured myself.

1) do NOT scratch -- it will cause scars (more later)

2) you do NOT have to 'wash everything in hot water' every time you wear it, or launder the bedding in hot water every night. What you DO need to do is put it things in a very hot dryer after each use. 

3) I used the Permethrin cream 5% three times and it did not work. I tried tea tree oil, clove oil, epsom salts, etc.  A very well-know dermatologist tried to give me a half dose of ivermectin ONE time... So, I decided to do my own research and treat myself. I am cured. This is what I did:

A.  Purchase a bottle (I got the quart) of MARTIN'S INDOOR/OUTDOOR 10% PERMETHRIN. This is WATER-based product without any petroleum distillates in it.  Purchase a bottle of good body lotion/cream. I used CETAFIL. You could just as easily use Lubriderm or somthing similar. Get a clear squirt bottle and mix EQUAL PARTS of 10% Permethrin and the body lotion. For some reason, the Martin's works about a bajillion times better than the junk in the tubes from the pharmacy -- and it is also safe for dipping pets.

B.  I ordered from an online pharmacy 4 rounds of ivermectin 3 mg tablets.  Since I weigh 235 pounds, I take 8 of the 3 mg. tabs as one dose. 

C. Purchase 4 to 6 bars of Grisi Sulfur Soap (Amazon) and three or four of those netting scrubby poofs to use in the shower.

D. Buy an old fashioned (not digital) meat thermometer. Run a load of clothing in your dryer and HALFWAY THROUGH the cycle, open the dryer door, put the meat thermometer into the middle of the clothing and make sure the temperature is at least 130 degrees. If it isn't, you're shot. You MUST have a hot dryer to kill the scabies and EGGS. 

E. Purchase a waterproof mattress cover. Don't put it on yet.

F. If you can, pick out about three or four sets of clothes that you will wear during the procedure.  KEEP THE REST OF YOUR DRAWERS AND CLOSETS CLOSED.  If you don't contaminate them, they will be decontaminated naturally by the time the procedure is over.

G. Mix 6.7 ounces of the 10% Permethrin with a gallon of water to use to spray rugs, floors, mattresses, etc.  Wear a mask while spraying to reduce inhalation. Turn off AC or other air circulators.

H. Get yourself psyched up for a 4 week, systematic procedure that you will follow. 

START:

1. Put all linens, pillows (except one), throw rugs, afghans, etc. into large garbage bags and close tightly. Forget about them. Reserve two single quilts or a bottom sheet and a cover, and one pillow, to use during the procedure.

2. Spray your rugs, mattress, furniture, floors, etc, with the permethrin/water solution (this recipe is per the label).

3. PUT THE MATTRESS COVER ON THE MATTRESS AFTER THE PERMETHRIN DRIES.

4. Take a shower and take one full dose of the Ivermectin on an empty stomach with a large glass of water. Do not eat for an hour. I did this first thing on a Saturday morning.

5. Saturday evening, before bed, spread one quilt over the mattress pad to sleep on, and you will use the other for cover.  Take a shower, dry off, and cover yourself from head to toe (but not on face) with the permethrin/body lotion that you made. I know this is scary, but it is safe if you are not allergic to permethrin. It is just a homemade 5% and it is FRESH.  (Oh, store your bottle out of sunlight. The sun breaks down permethrin).  Put on your pajamas and go to sleep. You will probably feel pinpricks and crawlies for a few days.. You can "spot treat" these by rubbing a finger-full of the lotion directly onto that area. 

6. In the morning, open a bar of the Sulfur Soap. DO NOT TAKE A BATH -- at ANY TIME during the procedure. The mites will come off, float up to the top of the water, and infest you around your chest/neck!  YUCK YUCK!!! Get in the shower and wet yourself down, and "activate" the sulfur soap by wetting it for about half a minute.  TURN OFF THE WATER. Now, you must WORK to lather yourself heavily. Seriously. Work the soap and lather until you are creamy all over. Let it sit there about 3 or 4 minutes.  Then, lather your hair, too. This will be more difficult, but you will get the hang of it.  Sulfur soap will become your new best friend, believe it or not.  Try to rinse your hair without washing all the sulfur soap off your feet. You will learn this. The little buggers will wash down your body and bite your ankles and feet trying to hang on -- you can't see this, but you WILL feel it. Keeping the sulfur soap on your feet will help keep them from biting.  After you rinse your hair, THEN rinse your body.  Step out of the shower onto a clean hand towel. Dry the parts of you first where the mites have NOT gone, so that you don't spread them with the towel.  After I was dry, I always added a smear of the permethrin cream around my inner thighs to protect my private places from being affected by the mites. It worked. I also did a smear around my hairline/jawbone to keep them off my face. It worked, too.

7. Now, from Sunday morning until the next Saturday, you will take a shower like this EVERY morning and EVERY evening. Take your time.  Use the scrubby pad. Also, Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Shampoo is excellent.  Keep a bottle of the permethrin cream by your bed at night so that you can spot treat biters during the night. 

8.  Every day, before you go to bed, you MUST put the two quilts or your sheet and cover IN THE HOT DRYER.  I dried mine on high for 60 minutes. I was told this was overkill, but when I didn't dry for that long, I regretted it from the bites I got.  Also dry your pillow EVERY DAY. I washed my bed linens once a week but hot-dried them daily.

Also, STERILIZE in bleach your combs, hairbrushes, and makeup brushes.  Cover your chair where you sit with another mattress pad if you can, and hot dry it every day.  Vacuum as often as you can. 

I repeated the Ivermectin/Permethrin Body Lotion procedure for 4 weeks and was DONE.  I did a lot of research and was very careful. No ill effects. God bless you and I wish you all the best as you struggle to overcome scabies.

I've had scabbies on and off for the past 6 years. I used owner grin 2 days ago and now I am cover in red dots. I had scabbies mostly on my hands? What are these red dots? Them dying? It is so itchy?

Hello all! It's about 2 am and I can't sleep because (you guessed it) intense itching from scabies.

I was diagnosed about 2.5 months ago, and am still dealing with it today. I was given ivermectin pills and triamcinolone cream at the outset, and just took another set of pills and used more cream about 2 weeks ago. I've been consistently washing my clothes in hot water, as well.

The kicker for me is how it has effected my genitals. I definitely thought I had an STD, and am glad that I do not, but this is still a bitch and a half to deal with. I am seriously hoping that this will go away soon so that I can be intimate with people again!

I am so sorry to see so many stories from those of you who have/have had scabies, and I absolutely feel your pain! I hope you all recover soon/have already recovered and can leave all of this behind!

Hey all.

I'm new on this site. Sadly, we're all here. I hope you guys get well soon, you and your families. Also, excuse my English. 

So, here's my story... 

I'll start off by saying I was literally miserable. I ... 

I got diagnosed for scabies on 30th of may. I started treatment right away with a prescribed lotion called Acarol. It's not a pesticide, as far as I know. I think it worked. I had to apply it three days in a row to my whole body, once or twice a day. The doctor said only at night, but I did it in the morning as well. Anyhow... I started getting some red tiny (kind of fast fading away) and I freaked out. I also itched, but not as like before. Now I think my scabies are gone, but I am scared that I infected my family. They still have no symptoms, but are they contagious? What are the shances for them getting the scabies? I mean... I was "oficially" having my scabies in its full power on the 30th of May. I had noticed some scabies pimples (unknowing its scabies) like ... maybe 2-3 weeks before the itch occured. ... My question is, was I still contagious before the itch? 

If so... that will make a month that I have been around my family, and boyfriend. Have been having close physical contact.

They still have no symptoms. None of them. (I hope they don't ever) ... 

What's the chance of NOT infecting them? What if they start a treatment right away - will that prevent the crabies infestation on them? Are they currently contagious to me?

I didn't have many scabbies like pimples, only two or thee the most. The others are red and small, watery kind of, they vary. 

Is it normal to itch after the treatment? What about getting some pimples? 

And......... .... My eyebrow itches from time to time... I can't tell if I'm being paranoid or not...

Is it other type of mites? Please, say no, I'll .. f- die. 

Hi Cassey

What a wonderful place to leave some comments. I had scabies now for about 12 days when my sawear scratching started.

I have used benzyl benzoate 25% for the last 12 days. I have also used a soap think is slofa soap or something like that we buy here is South Africa. I have washed my clothing everyday vavuum packed all my clothing and kept my room and seroundings clean.

The early signs where there as I say a ring like patch on my back and that was just a start of a many scabies working together to bite the crap out of me. If I started to treat myself before that the investasion got out of hand it would not have been so sever.

I have recorded some pictures and must say all docters say you do not get scabies on your face and I must tell you all that is a lie. I have pictures that I have taken. It was on my back on my arms and legs and face and fingers. Because I have acne I always tough my face and I believe that was the cause of it getting to my face.

Its was so emotional to have scabies on my face after I have such a problem with acne at the age of 32. Its not nice. You try keep your face always clean and the scares from acne is already such an emotional thing because my face is damaged from the acne and now for scabies to make it look like a heart breaking swolen red face with more scares. That really just pushed me over the edge. I am strong and always have been. If it all made me feel down I just kept on telling myself its going to get better. Now my face is looking about 80% better and that gave me some confidence that its all going to get better.

I think you need to have a positive mind set with having all kind of deseases and scabies. Your brain is powerful and can release antihistamine naturally to help you to get rid of scabies. Well that is my own opinion and I will stick with because as all know your brain can release adrenaline if you need it and many other things.

So after this horrible time I am starting to feel better. I think my scabies strated about a 14 days before the itchyness started and I treated myself now for the last 12 days and feeling much better. I am still keeping everything clean and will do so for as long as I can. I also use hot boiling water when I shower and that helped me get the scabies to move around and get washed away with the medical soap.

Thank you to all this info.

Cheers

J

I AM HAVING THE SAME EXPERANCE.HELP!! I HAD THIS IN JAN,2016 AND JUST GOT IT AGAIN IT'S BEEN 4 WEEKS AND I'VE BEEN TREATING MY SKIN AND HOME FOR 2 WEEKS NOW. ARE YOU BETTER WHAT DID YOU DO???