However, some people react to the debris left over after scabies mites die.
This is called post-scabies syndrome.
This article reviews post-scabies syndrome, including symptoms, length, treatment, and when to seek care.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Verywell / Emily Roberts
When Does Post-Scabies Syndrome Typically Occur?
If you have scabies, it can take about four weeks for medications calledscabicidesto kill the mites.
You may need another series of treatments if you are still itching from mites.
If you are still itching after successful treatment, you may have post-scabies syndrome.
It can take weeks or even several months for this reaction to go away.
However, you are not contagious to others during this time.
How Common Is Post Scabies Syndrome?
It is more likely to occur in people 55 and older and children.
In addition, it can bring up the skin to bacterial infections likeimpetigoorcellulitis, which can be serious.
it’s possible for you to also scar your skin by scratching.
Post-scabies syndrome is due to an allergic reaction to the debris from the dead mites.
Unfortunately, it can last for several months.
Some treatmentsboth over-the-counter and prescriptioncan help alleviate the itching of post-scabies syndrome until it goes away.
A Word From Verywell
Scabies mites are unpleasant, but scabies treatments are very effective.
If the itch lingers long after the mites are gone, seek help from a healthcare provider.
Rarely, scabies can lead to a kind of kidney inflammation called post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Medication is effective at killing scabies, but it may take several weeks for all the mites to die.
A healthcare provider can examine you to see if any mites remain.
Sometimes it takes more than one course of treatment to get rid of the mites.
you could get reinfected with scabies if you are exposed again after treatment.
If you don’t treat scabies, it can last for months.
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