Here's a parent's nightmare: getting a call from your child's school nurse informing you that there's been an outbreak of scabies in your child's classroom! Don't panic! An infection with scabies is annoying and inconvenient but certainly not devastating if you know how to safely get rid of scabies.

Prescription permethrin 5% cream is the most effective therapy to safely get rid of scabies. The instructions are very straightforward - follow them faithfully for best results. Permethrin cream is relatively safe and effective for getting rid of scabies even in infants as young as 2 months of age.

Wash recently worn clothing and bed linens at the same time in hot water or have them professionally dry cleaned. This process should occur while the medicated cream is being used. Remember, the scabies mite can only survive for three days without a human host.

Items that cannot easily be washed should be placed into a sealed bag and left for a full week. This will kill any scabies mites present.

Vacuum your floors, rugs and furniture thoroughly to insure there are no stray scabies mites or unhatched eggs. Throw the vacuum cleaner bag away immediately after completing the task. There is no benefit to using any indoor sprays or cleaning chemicals to get rid of scabies.

The scabies related rash is extremely itchy particularly at night. To safely get rid of scabies make sure you clip your fingernails short and clean beneath them frequently with soap and hot water. Wash your hands for at least 15 seconds, this will eliminate any residual scabies mites or eggs.

With proper medical treatment all scabies mites should be killed in a couple of days; nevertheless, the itchy rash can persist for several weeks due to the lingering allergic skin reaction. Usually retreatment with permethrin cream isn't necessary; however, if symptoms persist permethrin can be reapplied in two weeks. Discuss your options with your doctor.

Simple OTC antihistamines such as oral Benadryl can be helpful at controlling the itchy rash of scabies. If Benadryl is too sedating than try OTC second generation antihistamines such as Zyrtec or Claritin; these tend to be less sedating and appropriate for daytime use.

Adding an inexpensive OTC gastric reflux medication such as Tagamet or Zantac may further reduce the itching caused by scabies.

*  All household members and sexual contacts should be treated for scabies when one case has been confirmed.
*  The itchy rash of scabies can begin several weeks after becoming infected by scabies.
*  The scabies rash generally occurs in the warm crevasses of the body such as between toes and fingers, genital regions and the buttocks.
* Avoid scratching! Doing so can lead to a secondary skin infection or long term scarring.