Scabies treatment in Gurgaon
Scabies is common, treatable and has nothing to do with how clean you are. Dermatologist Dr. Tanya Kochhar confirms the diagnosis and gives your household one clear plan, so the itch stops and does not keep coming back.
How is scabies treated in Gurgaon?
Scabies is treated with a prescribed cream or tablets, usually two doses about one week apart, and every close household contact is treated on the same day, even without itch. At Le Dermaire, Dr. Tanya Kochhar confirms the diagnosis privately, often with dermoscopy, and gives written instructions for clothes and bedding. Itch can continue for 2 to 4 weeks afterwards.
Scabies treatment, in short
The essentials. Your plan depends on who in the home is affected, the age and health of each person, and whether earlier treatment has failed.
What is scabies?
Scabies is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a mite too small to see, which burrows into the outer layer of the skin to lay eggs. The intense itch is largely an allergic reaction to the mites and their debris, which is why it usually starts three to six weeks after a first infestation, and within days if you have had scabies before.
It spreads mainly through prolonged skin-to-skin contact: sharing a bed, caring for a child, or close family life. It spreads easily in households, hostels, paying-guest accommodation and care homes. Brief contact such as a handshake rarely passes it on. Anyone can get scabies, and it says nothing about cleanliness.
The classic sign is itching that is much worse at night, affecting more than one person in the home. Common sites are between the fingers, the wrists, elbows, armpits, waist, buttocks, around the nipples and on the genitals. In babies, the palms, soles and scalp can be involved.
Forms of scabies
Scabies does not always look the same, and its unusual forms are often missed or mistaken for eczema or allergy.
Classic scabies
Small itchy bumps, scratch marks and, sometimes, fine wavy burrows a few millimetres long. Only a small number of mites are present, yet the itch can be severe.
Nodular scabies
Firm, very itchy reddish-brown lumps, typically on the genitals, groin, buttocks or armpits. They can persist for weeks or months after the mites have gone and may need separate treatment.
Crusted scabies
Thick, crusted, scaly skin carrying very large numbers of mites, seen in older people and those with reduced immunity. It is highly contagious and needs more intensive, closely supervised treatment.
Scabies in children
Babies and young children may have blisters or bumps on the palms, soles and scalp, and be irritable and sleep poorly. Treatment choice and dose are adjusted for age and weight.
How scabies is treated
One diagnosis, one plan for the whole household, one start date.
Private examination
Dr. Tanya examines the typical sites discreetly, often using dermoscopy to look for burrows and mites, and rules out eczema, insect bites and other itchy rashes.
A household plan
Treatment is prescribed for you and every close contact, with the dose and choice of cream or tablets adjusted for children, pregnancy and other health conditions.
Clear written instructions
How and where to apply, how long to leave it on, when to repeat, and exactly what to do with clothes and bedding on treatment day.
Follow-up
A review after the second dose to check the rash is settling, treat post-scabies itch or nodules, and look for any reason the mites might persist.
Scabies treatment options explained
Permethrin cream is a first-line treatment. It is applied to cool, dry skin over the entire body from the neck down, including between the fingers and toes, under the nails, the genitals and the soles, and left on for the recommended time, usually eight to fourteen hours, before washing off. In babies and older people the scalp and face may also need treating. A second application about one week later is usual.
Oral ivermectin tablets are an effective alternative or addition, taken as two doses about one week apart. They are convenient when many people need treatment, when creams are hard to apply properly, and in crusted scabies alongside creams. They are not given to young children below a certain weight or during pregnancy, so the choice is made individually.
Itch relief matters too. Antihistamines at night, a soothing moisturiser and, where needed, a short course of a mild anti-inflammatory cream help with the itch that continues after the mites are gone. Infected scratches may need an antibiotic.
Treat everyone at the same time. If one person is treated today and another next week, the mites simply pass back and forth. Household members and close partners are treated on the same day even if they have no itch yet, because symptoms can take weeks to appear.
Scabies treatment cost in Gurgaon
The cost is mainly the consultation and prescribed creams or tablets from a pharmacy, which depends on how many people in the household need treatment. Family members can be seen at the same visit where practical.
Why one proper round is cheaper
Scabies that is half-treated, or treated in one person but not the others, keeps coming back, and each round means more medicine, more laundry and more sleepless nights. Doing it thoroughly once, together, is the economical choice.
Why scabies keeps coming back
Most cases of scabies that seem not to respond have a practical explanation rather than resistant mites. The commonest are: a household member or partner who was not treated, or was treated on a different day; cream applied only to itchy areas instead of the whole body; cream washed off too early, including from the hands after handwashing without reapplying; the second dose missed; and clothes and bedding not dealt with.
Another common source of worry is post-scabies itch. The allergic reaction in the skin takes two to four weeks to settle after successful treatment, and occasionally longer. Continuing to itch in this period does not mean the scabies is still there, and repeating the scabicide over and over can irritate the skin and make it itchier. New burrows or new spots after two to four weeks, or itching in contacts, are the reasons to be re-examined.
Seek review promptly if the skin becomes crusted and scaly, if scratches become painful, swollen or ooze pus, or if an older relative or someone with reduced immunity has widespread thick scaling.
Clothes, bedding and the home
Do
- Wash clothes, towels and bedding used in the previous three days in hot water, at least 50 to 60 °C, and dry on a hot cycle or in strong sun.
- Seal items that cannot be washed, such as soft toys, jackets or shoes, in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.
- Apply treatment to the whole body, including under trimmed nails, and reapply to hands after washing them.
- Put on clean clothes after the treatment has been washed off.
- Vacuum mattresses, sofas and car seats once.
No need to
- Fumigate the home or use pesticide sprays; mites do not survive long away from skin.
- Throw away mattresses, clothes or furniture.
- Keep children away from school or work beyond the first full day of treatment, unless advised otherwise.
- Repeat the cream every few days because the itch continues; ask for review instead.
- Scrub the skin harshly or use antiseptic liquids in the bath.
Scabies treated discreetly by a dermatologist
Scabies can be embarrassing to talk about, and it is often mistaken for eczema, allergy or insect bites, particularly when it has been partly treated. A dermatologist confirms the diagnosis, chooses safe treatment for babies, pregnant women and older relatives, recognises crusted and nodular scabies, and tells apart ongoing infestation from post-scabies itch. Your visit is handled privately and without judgement.
Dr. Tanya Kochhar holds an MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, an MD in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy from MGM Medical College, a DNB, and a post-doctoral fellowship in Aesthetic Dermatology (FRGUHS). She is registered with the National Medical Commission and the Delhi Medical Council.
Scabies FAQs
How did I get scabies?
Scabies spreads mainly through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it, most often within a household, among children, between partners or in shared accommodation such as hostels. Less often it passes through shared bedding or clothing. It is very common and has nothing to do with personal hygiene or cleanliness.
Does my whole family need treatment?
Yes. Everyone in the household and any close contacts, such as partners, should be treated on the same day, even if they have no itch. Symptoms can take several weeks to appear, and untreated contacts are the most common reason scabies keeps returning. The dose and treatment are adjusted for children and pregnant women.
How much does scabies treatment cost in Gurgaon?
At Le Dermaire the cost depends on how many people in the household need treatment and whether creams, tablets or both are prescribed; the medicines are bought from a pharmacy. The consultation fee is Rs 1,800. There are no charges that are not quoted to you first.
Why am I still itching after scabies treatment?
Itching commonly continues for two to four weeks after successful treatment, because the skin's allergic reaction takes time to settle. This post-scabies itch is eased with antihistamines, moisturisers and sometimes a mild cream. New spots or burrows after that period, or itching in family members, are reasons to be re-examined.
Do I need to wash everything in the house?
No. Wash clothes, towels and bedding used in the three days before treatment in hot water and dry them hot or in strong sun. Items that cannot be washed can be sealed in a bag for at least 72 hours. There is no need to fumigate the home or discard furniture.
Is scabies a sexually transmitted infection?
Scabies can be passed on during sex because it involves close skin contact, and it often affects the genitals, but it is not only sexually transmitted. Most cases in families come from ordinary close contact. Partners should be treated at the same time. If you are concerned about other infections, these can be discussed confidentially.
Can children and pregnant women be treated for scabies?
Yes, with treatment chosen for their age or stage of pregnancy. Some creams are suitable for babies and pregnant women, whereas oral ivermectin is avoided in pregnancy and in young children below a certain weight. Babies may also need the scalp and face treated. Dr. Tanya adjusts the plan for each family member.
Where is the clinic in Gurgaon?
Le Dermaire is at 10P, 3rd Floor, Sector 28, Chakkarpur, Golf Course Road, Gurugram, opposite Phase 1. It is open Monday to Saturday from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Scabies treatment on Golf Course Road, Gurugram
Convenient for families in DLF Phases 1 to 5, Sushant Lok, Chakkarpur, Sikanderpur and MG Road. Sunday hours make it easier for several household members to be seen together.
Golf Course Road, opposite DLF Phase 1,
Sector 28, Chakkarpur, Gurugram
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