Health Message
Thursday, 2nd April 2026 at 10:50am
Health Message from GBHS Nursing Team
We are aware of cases of scabies within our school community and have some helpful guidance to share. With school holidays approaching, there is a higher risk of scabies spreading due to more frequent and prolonged close contact.
What is scabies? Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by an allergic reaction to tiny mites that burrow under the skin, resulting in an intensely itchy rash.
Key facts:
- It’s easily spread through close skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies, or through shared bedding or clothing.
- You need to treat scabies with medication. It won’t go away on its own. You can buy this from your pharmacy or get it on prescription from your doctor or nurse prescriber.
- Two separate treatments are required for each member of your household
- Your child can go back to school 24 hours after the first treatment.
- It can take time for the allergic reaction to develop, so people can be infected without symptoms. That is why everyone who lives in the same household as the person with scabies needs to be treated at the same time.
- You’ll also need to wash all clothing and bedding in hot water after treatment.
- The itch and rash may continue for a few weeks even though the mite is gone.
Please refer to the following links for more information:
