Scabies treatment in London: the whole-household plan that actually clears it
An itch that is worst at night, keeps the whole house awake, and will not settle with moisturisers or antihistamines: that pattern should make any doctor think of scabies. It is caused by a tiny burrowing mite, it spreads through close skin contact within households, and it is very treatable, but only if everyone in the household is treated on the same day, whether they itch or not. Half-treated scabies is the reason so many families battle it for months. At The Online GP by The Wellness, a doctor can usually confirm the picture by video or photo and arrange same-day prescriptions for the whole household, sent straight to your local pharmacy.
What scabies is
Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The female burrows into the outer skin layer and lays eggs, and the itch is an allergic reaction to the mite, which is why it can take two to six weeks to appear after a first infestation, and why people can spread scabies before they itch. The classic signs are intense itching worse at night, a pimply or blistered rash, and sometimes visible burrows: fine, wavy, greyish lines a few millimetres long, typically between the fingers, on the wrists, around the waistline, or on the genitals and buttocks. In babies and young children the head, neck, palms and soles can be involved.
How it is treated, properly
The treatment is a topical insecticide applied to the whole body, with permethrin 5% cream the usual first choice in the UK and malathion an alternative. The details matter more than the product: apply from the neck down to every bit of skin, including between fingers and toes, under nails, and skin folds, with the scalp, face, neck and ears included for babies, young children and older adults. Leave it on for the full recommended time (8 to 12 hours for permethrin), reapply to hands after any washing, and repeat the whole application seven days later to catch newly hatched mites. Every household member and close physical contact is treated on the same day, even without symptoms, and bedding, nightwear and towels are hot-washed. Items that cannot be washed can be sealed in a bag for at least three days.
The itch afterwards: what is normal
The single biggest cause of apparent treatment failure is misunderstanding the aftermath. Itching commonly continues for two to four weeks after successful treatment, because the allergic reaction takes time to settle even when every mite is dead. Your doctor can prescribe or recommend treatment for the residual itch and will be honest that this is normal. New burrows or fresh lesions appearing after that window, or itch that never improved at all, suggest genuine re-infestation or treatment failure, and that needs review.
When you need a doctor
See a doctor if you are not sure it is scabies, since eczema and other itchy rashes overlap, if the affected person is a baby, pregnant or breastfeeding, if treatment has failed despite correct use, or if there is widespread crusting, which can signal crusted scabies, a far more contagious form needing specialist care. Your online doctor can assess all of these the same day, confirm the diagnosis, and prescribe for the household with clear written instructions.
How an online GP can help today
With The Online GP by The Wellness, you can speak to a doctor the same day, discreetly, without a waiting room conversation about mites. Your doctor confirms whether the picture fits scabies, prescribes the right treatment for each household member, sent electronically to a pharmacy you choose, and gives you the full same-day, whole-household plan with the seven-day repeat that actually clears it. A phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person appointment at our Marylebone clinic is £220. Message us on WhatsApp for a free triage and we will point you to the right next step.
What does online scabies treatment cost?
With The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person consultation is £220. Private walk-in clinics in London commonly charge £100 to £250 for the same short appointment before any prescription costs. Your prescription is sent to a normal pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy's own price for the medicine.
Why choose The Online GP by The Wellness
Every consultation is with a UK-registered, GMC-registered doctor, not an automated questionnaire. Same-day appointments run seven days a week, the whole household's treatment can be organised in one consultation, prescriptions go straight to your chosen pharmacy, and if the picture suggests crusted scabies or another diagnosis, we say so immediately. You can also read about our same-day private GP appointments, private GP consultations for children, and evening and weekend appointments.
To get treated today, call 020 3951 3429, email team@thewellnesslondon.com or book an appointment online.
Frequently asked questions
Can an online GP diagnose and treat scabies?
Yes, in most cases. The pattern of night-time itch, typical rash and household spread is usually diagnostic from a video consultation and clear photos, and your doctor can prescribe permethrin or malathion for the household, sent electronically to a pharmacy you choose.
Does the whole household really need treatment?
Yes. Scabies spreads by close skin contact and people can carry and transmit it for weeks before they itch, so treating only the itchy person almost guarantees the infestation circles back. Everyone in the household treats on the same day and repeats after seven days.
Why am I still itching after scabies treatment?
Itching commonly continues for two to four weeks after successful treatment, because the allergic reaction to the mite takes time to settle even when the mites are dead. New burrows or fresh lesions after that window, or itch that never improved, need a review for treatment failure or re-infestation.
Can I get scabies treatment from a pharmacy?
Permethrin 5% cream is available from UK pharmacies, but the diagnosis is often mistaken for eczema and vice versa, and the whole-household, same-day protocol with a seven-day repeat is where most self-treatment goes wrong. A doctor confirms the diagnosis and coordinates the plan.
Does my child need to stay off school with scabies?
Current UK guidance is that children can return after the first proper treatment has been completed. Treat the whole household the same day and wash bedding and towels hot, and the school does not usually need to be involved beyond that.
How much does online scabies treatment cost in London?
At The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150 and an in-person appointment is £220. The prescription is sent to a local pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy price for the medicine.
This article is for information and does not replace personal medical advice. Written by The Wellness Team and medically reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. Last updated October 2026.