Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite. The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs.

Scabies usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. Contact generally must be prolonged; a quick handshake or hug usually will not spread scabies. Scabies is spread easily to partners and household members.

Scabies is also spread indirectly by sharing articles such as clothing, towels, or bedding used by an infected person.

Scabies can be found worldwide and affects people of all races and social classes. Having scabies has no indication of someone's cleanliness.

The most common signs and symptoms of scabies are intense itching (especially at night) and a pimple-like itchy rash. The itching and rash each may affect much of the body or be limited to common sites such as:

• Wrists
• Elbows
• Armpits
• Webbing Between The Fingers
• Nipples
• Genitalia
• Waist/Belt-line
• Buttock

The rash also can include tiny blisters and scales. Scratching the rash can cause skin sores; sometimes these sores become infected by bacteria.

Tiny burrows sometimes are seen on the skin; these are caused by the female scabies mite tunneling just beneath the surface of the skin. These burrows appear as tiny raised and crooked grayish-white or skin-colored lines on the skin surface. They are found most often in the webbing between the fingers, in the skin folds on the wrist, elbow, or knee, and on genitalia, or shoulder blades.

The head, face, neck, palms, and soles often are involved in infants and very young children, but usually not adults and older children.

Persons with crusted scabies may not show the usual signs and symptoms of scabies such as the characteristic rash or itching.

• Crusted scabies is a severe form of scabies that can occur in some persons who are immunocompromised (have a weak immune system), elderly, disabled, or debilitated. It is also called Norwegian scabies.
• Persons with crusted scabies have thick crusts of skin that contain large numbers of scabies mites and eggs. This person is very contagious to other people and can spread the infestation easily both by direct skin-to-skin contact and by contamination of items such as their clothing, bedding, and furniture.
• Someone with crusted scabies may not show the usual signs and symptoms of scabies such as the characteristic rash or itching. Once the infestation is discovered, they should receive quick and aggressive medical treatment for their infestation to prevent outbreaks of scabies.

If a person has never had scabies before, symptoms may take 4-8 weeks to develop. It is important to remember that an infected person can spread scabies during this time, even if he/she does not have symptoms yet.

In a person who has had scabies before, symptoms usually appear much sooner (1-4 days) after exposure.

Yes! There are many products on the market that work to kill Scabies and eliminate them from the body. Many products make claims that they can not substantiate so it is important to do your research when considering a product for yourself and your family.

Naturasil Scabies Treatment Packs are a natural way to treat scabies without the use of harmful and damaging chemicals. Our system works to kill infestation at various stages as well as relieve the pain that the scabies mites cause during an infestation.

Products proscribed by a doctor to treat scabies are called Scabicides because they kill scabies mites; some also kill eggs. Oftentimes, these Scabicides are full of harmful and dangerous chemicals. Use caution if using these methods and follow directions precisely. Improper use of these products could cause serious damage to the body.

With all treatment plans, retreatment may be necessary if itching continues more than 2-4 weeks after treatment or if new burrows or rash continue to appear.

Never use a Scabicide intended for veterinary or agricultural use to treat humans!

• On a person, scabies mites can live for as long as 1-2 months.
•  Off a person, scabies mites usually do not survive more than 48-72 hours.

Fumigation of living areas is unnecessary.Scabies mites do not survive more than 2-3 days away from human skin.

Carpets and furniture should be carefully vacuumed to remove dead mites, eggs, and excrement that could still be in the fabrics.

Countertops and surfaces that are frequently touched should be wiped down with a disinfectant. Our BenzaRid Disinfectant is perfect for deep cleaning and disinfecting your home of residual contaminants. It also comes included with our larger packs,Naturasil Scabies Treatment Family Pack and Naturasil Scabies Treatment Super Pack.

Items such as bedding, clothing, and towels used by a person with scabies can be decontaminated by machine-washing in hot water and drying using the hot cycle or by dry-cleaning. We highly recommend using our ElimiMite Natural Enzyme Concentrate in your wash to penetrate and lift the dead mites, eggs, and excrement from all your washable bedding, clothing, and other washables.

Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned can be decontaminated by removing from any body contact for at least 72 hours. Scabies mites will die if exposed to a temperature of 50°C (122°F) for 10 minutes. Putting the item in direct sunlight would also help assure that the mites have been killed.

Because persons with crusted scabies are considered very infectious, careful vacuuming of furniture and carpets in rooms used by these persons is recommended.

Fumigation of living areas is unnecessary.

Scabies mites do not survive more than 2-3 days away from human skin. Items such as bedding, clothing, and towels used by a person with scabies can be decontaminated by machine-washing in hot water and drying using the hot cycle or by dry-cleaning. We highly recommend using our ElimiMite natural enzyme concentrate in your wash to penetrate and lift the dead mites, eggs, and excrement from all your washable bedding, clothing, and other washables.

Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned can be decontaminated by removing from any body contact for at least 72 hours.

No to both questions.

Animals do not spread human scabies. Pets can become infested with a different kind of scabies mite that does not survive or reproduce on humans but causes “mange” in animals. If an animal with “mange” has close contact with a person, the animal mite can get under the person’s skin and cause temporary itching and skin irritation. However, the animal mite cannot reproduce on a person and will die on its own in a couple of days.

Although the person does not need to be treated, the animal should be treated because its mites can continue to burrow into the person’s skin and cause symptoms until the animal has been treated successfully. We would recommend our Naturasil Pet Mange to help alleviate your pet's mange and clear up their infestation.