At a glance
- For adults with symptoms that suggest scabies.
- Treatment should usually cover everyone in the household at the same time.
- Widespread skin changes, pregnancy and symptoms in a child mean you need to see a doctor.
Typical symptoms
- intense itching that gets worse at night and after a warm bath,
- small bumps and scratch marks,
- skin changes between the fingers, on the wrists, around the waist and in the armpits,
- similar symptoms in other people in your household.
What the nurse can do
The Minister of Health's list allows nurses to independently prescribe crotamiton – a substance applied to the skin to treat scabies.
The nurse will assess your request and, if a medicine is appropriate, issue an e-prescription and give you advice on using the product, washing clothes and bedding, and treating the people you live with.
How it works
You fill in a form
You describe your symptoms and answer questions about your health, the medicines you take and your medical history. It takes a few minutes.
A nurse assesses your request
A nurse or midwife reads your answers and, if anything is missing, asks follow-up questions. It is the nurse or midwife who decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
You get an e-prescription or a clear answer
If a medicine is appropriate, you receive an e-prescription code that you can use at any pharmacy. If not, you'll find out why and what to do next.
When you need to see a doctor
Book an appointment with a doctor instead of an online consultation if:
- the symptoms affect a baby, a child or anyone under 18,
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding,
- the skin changes are widespread, covered in thick crusts or affect the face,
- the skin is red, oozing pus or very painful,
- you have a weakened immune system,
- your symptoms are not going away despite treatment.
In an emergency – severe pain, shortness of breath, confusion or loss of consciousness, rapidly worsening symptoms – call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (SOR). An online consultation is not an emergency service.
Frequently asked questions
Can a nurse issue a prescription for scabies medicine?
Yes. The Minister of Health's list includes a substance applied to the skin to treat scabies, which a nurse can prescribe independently.
Does scabies mean poor hygiene?
No. You can catch scabies through close skin contact with someone who has it, however careful you are about hygiene.
Do the people I live with need treatment too?
Usually yes – even if they don't have symptoms yet. The nurse will give you detailed advice.
Will I definitely get a prescription?
There's no guarantee. A prescription is issued only when the medicine is appropriate and safe.
The content on this page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
