Scabies is an itchy, unpleasant dermatological condition which occurs when microscopic mites burrow beneath the skin. While people of all ages can be infected by scabies, treating scabies in children can pose certain challenges. Firstly, when treating scabies in children, it is important to ensure that the medication used is appropriate. Secondly, children must be encouraged to refrain from scratching a scabies rash. Finally, it is important to explain to children that scabies is contagious, and that they should thus avoid close contact with others while infected, and should also avoid contact with others who are infected.
A scabies infection begins when female mites tunnel beneath the top layer of one’s skin to deposit eggs. Several days later, the newly hatched mites tunnel to the skin’s surface to breed, and the cycle begins again. After the body detects these mites and their waste, an allergic reaction occurs which causes the skin to become extremely itchy and red. While scabies is highly contagious, it is usually fairly easily treated through the application of a medicated cream. Treating scabies in children, however, can pose certain challenges.
First of all, it is important to ensure that the medicated cream used to treat a child’s scabies is appropriate for his age group. The most commonly used medication, permethrin, is generally considered safe for all individuals, although it may be too harsh for some infants’ skin. Infants, therefore, may respond better to treatment with a chemical-free medication called crotamiton. Generally, these creams are applied to the entire body, apart from the head, and allowed to remain on the skin for about eight hours before being washed off. This treatment is usually repeated approximately one week after the first application.
When treating scabies in children, it is also important to encourage them to resist the temptation to scratch their skin. Repetitive scratching can cause open sores, which in turn can become infected or leave scars. To help an infected child refrain from scratching, try applying an anti-itch treatment such as calamine lotion to his skin. An oral antihistamine may also provide temporary relief from itching. It should be noted, however, that oral antihistamines often cause drowsiness, and may not be safe in children under six years of age.
Finally, it is important to help scabies-infected children understand that their condition is contagious. Scabies is usually passed through skin-to-skin contact, or to a lesser extent, through contact with clothing or other items which have touched an infected person’s skin. Therefore, an infected child should be discouraged from coming into close contact or sharing items like clothing and bedding with others. Similarly, an uninfected child should be encouraged to avoid close contact with relatives or classmates who have scabies.
