Kudis buta is scabies, an intensely itchy rash caused by tiny mites, while kudis api usually refers to impetigo, a contagious bacterial skin infection that leaves crusty, golden-brown patches. Scabies spreads through close skin contact, itches most at night, and is treated with a cream or lotion from a pharmacy applied to the whole body and repeated after 7 days, with everyone in the home treated at the same time. Impetigo is most common in young children and is treated with hydrogen peroxide or antibiotic cream, or antibiotic tablets. Neither is caused by poor hygiene, but both need treatment to stop them spreading.
Kudis buta vs kudis api: what is the difference?
Both conditions cause itchy skin and spread easily, but they have different causes and treatments. This table summarises the differences, based on NHS information:
| Kudis buta (scabies) | Kudis api (impetigo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Tiny mites that lay eggs in the skin | A bacterial skin infection |
| What it looks like | A raised rash or spots, and lines with a dot at one end where mites burrow | Red sores or blisters that burst and leave crusty, golden-brown patches |
| Where | Between the fingers, wrists, armpits, waist, groin and bottom; usually not the head and neck | Often the face (around the nose and mouth) and hands |
| Main symptom | Intense itching, especially at night | Itchy and sometimes painful patches that spread |
| Treatment | Cream or lotion from a pharmacy for the whole body, repeated after 7 days | Hydrogen peroxide cream, antibiotic cream or antibiotic tablets |
Other itchy rashes can look similar. Ring-shaped, scaly patches are more likely to be a fungal infection; see our guide to kurap and panau. Itchy blisters with a fever may be chickenpox; see our guide to cacar air. For other causes of itchy skin, see our guide to gatal kulit.
Kudis buta (scabies): what are the signs?
Scabies (kudis buta) is an itchy rash caused by mites. According to the NHS, the symptoms are:
- intense itching, especially at night;
- a raised rash or spots, which may look red, or be harder to see but easy to feel on darker skin.
The mites lay eggs in the skin, leaving tiny lines with a dot at one end. The rash can appear anywhere but is common between the fingers, and usually spreads across the whole body apart from the head and neck. It often affects the wrists, armpits, waist, groin and bottom. Older people and young children may also get a rash on the head, neck, palms and soles of the feet.
People with a weakened immune system can sometimes get a rare and very contagious type called crusted scabies, which causes a crusted, flaky rash, often on the elbows, knees, hands and feet.
Scabies is not caused by poor hygiene. Anyone can get it. It spreads through close skin contact, including sexual contact, and is more common where people live or work closely together, such as nurseries, hostels and care homes. You cannot catch scabies from pets. It can take up to 8 weeks for the rash to appear after you catch it.
Ubat kudis buta: how is scabies treated?
Scabies is not usually serious, but it needs to be treated. According to the NHS:
- a pharmacist will recommend a cream or lotion that you apply over your whole body, including your scalp and face, but not around your eyes;
- you need to repeat the treatment 7 days later;
- everyone in your home needs to be treated at the same time, even if they have no symptoms, and anyone you have had sexual contact with in the past 8 weeks should also be treated;
- do not use pharmacy treatments on children under 2; they need to see a doctor. Tell the pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What does the evidence say? The two most widely studied treatments are permethrin 5% cream and ivermectin. A 2018 Cochrane review of 15 trials with 1,896 people found that, 4 weeks after treatment, there was little or no difference in cure rates between them: about 93% of people were cured with permethrin and 86% with oral ivermectin. Ivermectin tablets need a doctor's prescription.
The treatment kills the mites quickly, but the itching can carry on for a few weeks. This does not necessarily mean the treatment has failed.
How do you stop scabies spreading?
To reduce the risk of scabies spreading, the NHS recommends:
- washing all bedding and clothing in the house at 60°C or higher, and drying it in a hot dryer if possible, on the first day of treatment;
- putting clothing that cannot be washed in a sealed bag for at least 3 days until the mites die;
- avoiding sex or close physical contact until you have finished the full course of treatment;
- not sharing bedding, clothing or towels with someone who has scabies.
Work and school: adults and children aged 5 and over can go back to work or school as soon as they have started treatment, but should avoid close contact with other people for the first 24 hours. Children under 5 can go back to nursery 24 hours after the first treatment.
Complications: scratching the rash can cause skin infections like impetigo, and scabies can make eczema or psoriasis worse.
Kudis api (impetigo): what are the signs?
Impetigo, commonly called kudis api in Malay, is a skin infection that is very contagious but not usually serious. Anyone can get it, but it is more common in young children. According to the NHS:
- it starts with red sores or blisters, although redness may be harder to see on darker skin;
- the sores or blisters quickly burst and often leave crusty, golden-brown patches that can look like cornflakes stuck to the skin;
- the patches can get bigger and spread, and can be itchy and sometimes painful;
- it commonly affects the face, around the nose and mouth, and the hands.
Impetigo usually infects skin that is already damaged, such as a cut, scratch, insect bite, or skin with eczema or scabies. It is a bacterial infection, like bisul (boils).
How is kudis api treated and prevented?
A pharmacist or doctor will check that it is not a more serious skin infection, such as cellulitis. If it is impetigo, they may prescribe:
- hydrogen peroxide cream;
- antibiotic cream or tablets. Babies and people with a weakened immune system may need antibiotic tablets.
Finish the treatment, even if the impetigo starts to clear. Impetigo stops being contagious 48 hours after starting treatment; without treatment it can take 7 to 21 days.
To stop it spreading, the NHS recommends:
- staying away from work, school or nursery until no longer contagious;
- washing affected areas with soap and water and drying them well, and washing hands often;
- not touching or scratching the sores, which also helps prevent scarring;
- washing towels, sheets and pillowcases at a high temperature, and not sharing them;
- not preparing food for other people, and avoiding close contact with children and people with diabetes or a weakened immune system.
To prevent impetigo, keep cuts, scratches and insect bites clean by washing them with soap and warm water, and get treatment for skin conditions such as eczema and scabies. If impetigo keeps coming back, a doctor may take swabs from your skin and nose and prescribe an antiseptic body wash or nasal ointment.
When should you see a doctor?
Scabies: see a doctor, according to the NHS, if:
- your child is under 2 and has symptoms of scabies, or someone else at home has scabies;
- you think your skin may be infected, or you have another skin condition such as eczema;
- you have a crusted, flaky rash on your elbows, knees, hands or feet;
- your skin is still itching 2 to 4 weeks after finishing treatment.
Impetigo: see a doctor if your baby is 11 months or younger, you are breastfeeding and the sores are on your breasts, you have a weakened immune system, the symptoms change or get worse after treatment, or impetigo has come back within the past year. Call the clinic before you go, as impetigo is very contagious.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is kudis buta in English?
Kudis buta is scabies: an itchy rash caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. It causes intense itching, especially at night, and a raised rash or spots, often between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms and around the waist, groin and bottom. It spreads through close skin contact.
What is kudis api?
Kudis api is the Malay name commonly used for impetigo, a very contagious bacterial skin infection that is more common in young children. It starts as red sores or blisters that quickly burst and leave crusty, golden-brown patches, often around the nose and mouth or on the hands.
What is the best ubat kudis buta?
A pharmacist can recommend a cream or lotion, such as permethrin, that you apply over your whole body, including the scalp and face but not around the eyes. Repeat it 7 days later, and treat everyone in your home at the same time. Children under 2, and pregnant or breastfeeding women, should get advice first.
Is scabies caused by poor hygiene?
No. Anyone can get scabies, and it has nothing to do with poor hygiene. It spreads through close skin contact, including sexual contact, and is more common where people live or work closely together, such as nurseries, hostels and care homes. You cannot get scabies from pets.
Why am I still itchy after scabies treatment?
The treatment kills the mites quickly, but the itching can carry on for a few weeks. See a doctor if you are still itching 2 to 4 weeks after finishing treatment, if your skin looks infected, or if you have a crusted, flaky rash on your elbows, knees, hands or feet.
How is kudis api (impetigo) treated?
A pharmacist or doctor may prescribe hydrogen peroxide cream or an antibiotic cream or tablets. Finish the full course even if the sores start to clear. Impetigo stops being contagious 48 hours after starting treatment; without treatment it can stay contagious for 7 to 21 days.
Can children go to school with kudis buta or kudis api?
Children aged 5 and over with scabies can go back to school once treatment has started, and children under 5 can go back 24 hours after the first treatment. With impetigo, stay away from school or nursery until it is no longer contagious, which is 48 hours after starting treatment.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Scabies — NHS
- Impetigo — NHS
- Rosumeck S, Nast A, Dressler C. Ivermectin and permethrin for treating scabies. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;4(4):CD012994.
