Scabies
Intense itching that's worse at night, especially if others at home have it too? Check whether it's scabies and can be treated online. Quinn checks for infection or other risks first — if it fits, a clinician can approve treatment for your whole household.
- No appointment or video call
- NZ clinician reviewed
- Pay only if approved
What to expect
Talk to Quinn, our AI assistant. A NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care.
- If the pattern fits scabies, a clinician can explain treatment for you and close contacts, plus the cleaning steps
- Clear photos of the affected areas are required before this consultation can be submitted
- Crusted, infected, very young, pregnant or treatment-resistant cases need in-person review
Is this service right for me?
Start an online assessment if…
- The distribution and contact history follow a classic uncomplicated scabies pattern
- There is no crusted disease, bacterial infection or treatment-resistant pattern
Use another service first if…
- Thick crusting, broken or infected skin, spreading redness, weeping or pus
- Very young age, pregnancy or symptoms persisting after correctly completed treatment
When to get care sooner
Some symptoms need urgent or in-person care.
See your GP if you…
- are worsening, or aren't improving by 4–6 weeks
- notice symptoms worsening or not improving by 4 to 6 weeks
- have symptoms persisting beyond six weeks despite treatment and cleaning
- notice signs of skin infection
About scabies
Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. It causes intense itching, especially at night, and spreads easily through close skin-to-skin contact, so the whole household often needs treating together.
- Itch that is much worse at night, sometimes with fine burrows
- A similar itch in household members or other close skin contacts
How your online consultation works
No appointment or video call to book. See the current clinician review time before you start.
- Tell QuinnDescribe your concern in your own words. Quinn, our AI assistant, gathers the information for your clinician.
- Clinician reviewA registered NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care. They may ask for more detail.
- Receive your careApproved documents are saved in My care. Any prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.
Keep your usual GP. You choose whether to share your approved consultation summary with your usual practice.
What we’ll ask about
Answer naturally. Quinn follows up on what matters to your situation, using these topics for the assessment.
- Where the itch is, whether it is worse at night, burrows and when it began
- Affected household or close contacts, thick crusts, spreading redness, weeping or pus
- Age, pregnancy, allergy, treatments and cleaning already completed
Frequently asked questions
Does ongoing itch mean treatment failed?
Not necessarily. Itch and nodules may persist for several weeks after successful treatment. Worsening, or symptoms lasting beyond the expected period, need review.
Is scabies caused by poor hygiene?
No. Scabies is not a sign of poor hygiene. It spreads through close contact.
Why does everyone in the house need treatment, even without symptoms?
Scabies can spread before itching starts. So household members and close contacts from the last month may already be infected without knowing it. Treating everyone together stops it passing back and forth.
Fees and practical details
Your consultation fee is shown before submission. Your card is charged only if care is approved; medicine and pharmacy costs are separate.