Saturday Morning with Jack Tame
Dr Bryan Betty: What is scabies and how common is it?
What is scabies and how common is it in New Zealand? They're tiny mites that burrow into the top layer of skin, causing allergic reactions with intense itching and a rash. It's common in New Zealand, but exact numbers are difficult to know. It's more common where there is close contact or household crowding, and particularly children and young people. Anyone can get it – it's not a sign of poor hygiene. How do you catch it? Mainly through close skin-to-skin contact with someone who has scabies. It spreads between household members, family members, and sexual partners. It can spread through shared bedding, towels, or clothing. You can spread scabies before realising you have it – symptoms can take weeks to appear. How do you recognise it? Classically, it causes very itchy skin, particularly at night. Small, red bumps, scratch marks, and tiny burrows, often between the fingers, on the wrists, armpits, waist, and groin. In babies and young children, the face, scalp, palms, and soles of the feet can also be affected. It can look like eczema or other itchy skin conditions. How do you treat it? A prescribed cream applied over the body, left on for about 10–12 hours, then washed off – repeated one week later. Everyone in the house needs treatment at the same time, even if they have no symptoms. Wash bedding, clothing, and towels to prevent reinfection. Tablets called ivermectin can be used if cream doesn't work. The itching can continue for up to six weeks after successful treatment. New spots, burrows, or worsening symptoms should be rechecked by your GP or nurse. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
