How to determine if scabies is cured
Sep 04, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, scabies is considered to be cured when nighttime itching completely disappears, skin rashes subside, burrow-like skin lesions are no longer present, there is no infection among family members, and no recurrence is observed during the follow-up period. In daily life, clothing, bedding, and similar items should be washed with boiling water and thoroughly sun-dried to prevent residual mites. Keeping the skin clean and dry, avoiding scratching, and preventing skin damage and subsequent infection are also important to promote skin recovery.
Generally, the improvement of scabies can be determined by several key indicators: complete disappearance of nighttime itching, resolution of skin rashes, absence of tunnel-like skin lesions, no infection among family members, and no recurrence during the observation period. The specific details are as follows:
1. Complete Disappearance of Nighttime Itching: Itching caused by scabies usually worsens at night and significantly disrupts sleep. A gradual reduction in itching until there is no discomfort at night, allowing normal sleep, and no urge to scratch during the day indicates significant improvement.
2. Resolution of Skin Rashes: After infection with scabies, pimples and blisters may appear between the fingers, on the wrists, underarms, and other areas. When these rashes gradually flatten, their color changes from red or pale red to normal skin tone, eventually disappearing completely, and the skin surface becomes smooth without new rashes appearing, this indicates the condition is improving.
3. Disappearance of Tunnel-like Lesions: Scabies patients may develop grayish-white, winding tunnel-like marks on the skin, which indicate mite activity. If these tunnel-like lesions gradually fade and disappear, and no new tunnels appear on the skin surface, it suggests a reduction in the number of mites.
4. No Infection Among Family Members: Scabies is contagious and easily spreads among family members. If other family members do not develop symptoms such as itching or rashes associated with scabies, and remain symptom-free after a period of observation, it supports the conclusion that your scabies is improving and has not caused cross-infection.
5. No Recurrence During Observation Period: Even if the above symptoms disappear, it is still necessary to observe for 2–4 weeks. If there is no recurrence of itching, rashes, or tunnel-like lesions during this time, and the skin remains healthy, scabies can be considered cured.
In daily life, clothing, bedding, and other items should be washed in boiling water and sun-dried to eliminate any remaining mites. Keeping the skin clean and dry, avoiding scratching, and preventing skin damage will help prevent secondary infections and promote skin recovery.
