Scabies in Children Information

Scabies is a skin condition that occurs when very small insects get under the skin (infestation). This causes a rash and severe itchiness. Scabies is most common among young children.

Scabies can spread from person to person (is contagious). If your child gets scabies, it is common for others in the household to get scabies too.

With proper treatment, symptoms usually go away in 2–4 weeks. Scabies usually does not cause lasting problems.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by tiny mites (Sarcoptes scabiei, or human itch mites) that can only be seen with a microscope. The mites get into the top layer of skin and lay eggs. Scabies can spread from person to person through:

• Close contact with a person who has scabies.
• Sharing or having contact with infested items, such as towels, bedding, or clothing.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in children who have a lot of contact with others, such as those who attend school or daycare.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Severe itching. This is often worse at night.
• A rash that includes tiny red bumps or blisters. The rash commonly occurs on the hands, wrists, elbows, armpits, chest, waist, groin, or buttocks. In children, the rash may also appear on the head, palms of the hands, or bottoms (soles) of the feet. The bumps may form a line (burrow) in some areas.
• Skin irritation. This can include scaly patches or sores.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• A physical exam of your child’s skin.
• Test results of skin sample. Your child’s health care provider may take a sample of affected skin (skin scraping) and have it examined under a microscope for signs of mites.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated with:

• Medicated cream or lotion that kills the mites. This is spread on the entire body and left on for several hours. Usually, one treatment with medicated cream or lotion is enough to kill all the mites. In severe cases, the treatment may be repeated.
• Medicated cream that relieves itching.
• Medicines that relieve itching.
• Medicines that kill the mites. This treatment is rarely used.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Give or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• To apply medicated cream or lotion, carefully follow instructions on the label. The lotion needs to be spread on the entire body and left on for a specific amount of time, usually 8–14 hours. For children 2 years or older, it should be applied from the neck down. Children under 2 years old may also need treatment of the scalp, forehead, and temples.
• Do not wash off the medicated cream or lotion until the necessary amount of time has passed.

Skin care

• Have your child avoid scratching the affected areas of skin.
• Keep your child’s fingernails closely trimmed to reduce injury from scratching.
• Have your child take cool baths, or apply cool washcloths to your child’s skin, to help reduce itching.

General instructions

• Clean all items that your child had contact with during the 3 days before diagnosis. This includes bedding, clothing, towels, and furniture. Do this on the same day that your child starts treatment.
  • Use hot water when you wash items.
  • Place unwashable items into closed, airtight plastic bags for at least 3 days. The mites cannot live for more than 3 days away from human skin.
  • Vacuum furniture and mattresses that your child uses.
• Make sure that other people who may have been infested are examined by a health care provider. These include members of your child’s household and anyone who may have had contact with infested items.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child’s itching lasts longer than 4 weeks after treatment.
• Your child continues to develop new bumps or burrows.
• Your child has redness, swelling, or pain in the rash area after treatment.
• Your child has fluid, blood, or pus coming from the rash area.
• Your child develops a fever.
• Your child has burning or stinging during the cream or lotion treatment.

Summary

• Scabies is a condition that causes a rash and severe itching. It is most common among young children.
• Give or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Use hot water to wash all towels, bedding, and clothing that were recently used by your child.
• For unwashable items that may have been exposed, place them in closed plastic bags for at least 3 days.