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Scabies
Scabies is a skin condition caused by a mite. A mite is a
spider-like insect so small that it can only be seen under a microscope. The female mite
burrows under the skin and lays eggs. The path where the mite burrows looks like a tiny
scratch mark. This burrowing causes severe itching. If the skin is scratched open, it can
become infected. Scabies is "caught" by having skin to skin contact with a
person who has it, or much less commonly, by wearing clothes that have scabies mites
living in them. It is not caused by poor hygiene. All close family members should be
treated at the same time.
To Treat Scabies:
- Buy the lotion or cream prescribed by your
doctor.
- Shampoo the child's hair with the lotion or massage
cream into the scalp of all the children under four years of age and for any child with an
itching scalp.
- Apply a thin coat of the prescribed cream or lotion to
the entire surface of the child's skin, from neck down. If your child is less than
one-year-old, you should also treat the head and neck. The mites like to live in warm,
moist areas between fingers and toes, in the belly button, armpits, and in the skin around
the waist and genital area. Make very sure the cream or lotion is applied to these
areas.
- Have your child dress in clean clothes.
- Leave the cream or lotion on for 8-12 hours. (overnight
is convenient) Then have your child take a bath or shower and wash thoroughly.
- Itching may continue for several more days, and may not
completely go away for 6 weeks. If the itching does not improve 3-4 days after the
treatment, call your doctor. A second application may be recommended by the physician.
Dress in clean clothes after putting on the lotion.
Care of Clothing and Linens:
The mite that causes scabies can live in clothing and bed
linens for up to a week. You can treat linen and clothing in one of three ways:
- Using hot water, wash all clothing, bed linens, towels,
and washcloths that have been used or worn within the week before your child was
treated.
- Clothes can be put in the dryer at highest heat for 15
minutes.
- Put all clothes and linen used away in a closet for 1
week.
Clean clothes should be worn and clean bed linens used
after each application of lotion. Since mites may live in carpets and furniture, please
clean areas where your child has spent time (his/her room, family room, etc.)
To Prevent Scabies from Spreading:
All family and household members with skin contact should
be treated whether or not they are itching or have a rash. Scabies may not show any signs
until one month after catching them. If you know from whom your child got scabies, have
the child avoid contact with that person until the person is treated. |
