SCABIES
MUSAIWALE E. M.
BSc. MDW, RN, EN
DEFINITION
Scabies is an infestation of tiny
mites on the skin.
It causes a small red rash and
intense itching.
This infection is very contagious.
It often spreads from child to child
while children are sleeping together
in the same bed or have close
personal contact
CAUSES SCABIES IN A CHILD
Scabies is caused by very tiny mites
called sarcoptes scabiei var hominis
that burrow into the upper layers of
the skin.
The mites live there and lay eggs
that hatch a few days later.
CHILDREN AT RISK FOR
SCABIES
Anyone can get scabies, but it
happens mostly in children and
young adults.
The greatest risk factor for getting
scabies is coming in close contact
with a person who has it.
Other risk factors are overcrowded
living conditions and poor hygiene.
SYMPTOMS OF SCABIES IN A
CHILD
It may take between 4 to 6 weeks for
a child to get symptoms of scabies
after coming in contact with an
infected person.
1. In children younger than age 2, the
rash caused by the mites tends to
show up on the head, neck, palms,
and soles of the feet.
In older children, the rash is usually
located on any of the following
places:
Hands
Between the fingers
Wrists
Belt line
Thighs
Belly button
Groin area
Chest area
Armpits
2. Severe itching, often worse at night
3. Rash with small pimples or red
bumps.
4. Sometimes burrows can be seen.
5. Scaly or crusty skin in the worst
cases
DIAGNOSIS OF SCABIES IN A
CHILD
Clinicalrecognition by looking at the
child’s skin and skin cracks to
diagnose scabies.
Microscopy of skin scraping from
burrows.
Visual imaging techniques of the
skin such as dematoscopy.
TREATMENT
Scabies is treatable, and usually all
members in a family are treated at
the same time.
Overnight visitors, frequent visitors,
and babysitters should also be
treated.
Treatment will depend on the child’s
symptoms, age, and general health.
It will also depend on how severe the
condition is.
Treatment may include:
a. Using prescription creams and
lotions, such as
i. Permethrin cream 5%
ii. 0.5% malathion in aqueous base
iii. 10-25% benzyl benzoate emulsion
iv. 5-10% sulphur ointment
b. Taking medicines by mouth to kill
the mites such as ivermectin
c. Taking antihistamine medicine by
mouth to help relieve itching
d. Using other medicines on the skin
as needed
Cut the child's fingernails to help
prevent infection.
In addition, it is important to wash
all clothes and bedding in hot water
and dry them in a hot dryer.
Clothing and other objects that can’t
be washed should be placed in a
plastic bag for at least 1 week.
These items can include things like
pillows and stuffed animals.
People with crusted scabies are
considered very infectious.
Careful vacuuming of furniture and
carpets is recommended.
The itching may go on for many
weeks after the initial treatment of
the scabies.
If scabies is still present after this
time, or if new burrows appear, call
your child’s healthcare provider.
The child may need to be retreated.
COMPLICATIONS OF SCABIES
IN A CHILD
The intense itching caused by
scabies can lead to bacterial
infections such as impetigo.
It can also cause thickening and
scaling of the skin.
