Scabies: How to Care for your Child

When a child has scabies, he or she has an infestation of tiny mites under the skin that can cause itching and a rash with sores or blisters. Scabies is very contagious. If bacteria get into the blisters, a skin infection can happen. With treatment, scabies usually goes away without any long-lasting problems.

Everyone in the household should be treated, even if they have no signs of scabies.

Usually, health care providers prescribe a cream or lotion to put on the skin to kill the mites, but sometimes order a medicine to be taken by mouth instead. Follow your health care provider's instructions for using the medicine.

If using a cream or lotion:

• For young children and infants:

  • Apply the cream or lotion to the whole body as well as the scalp, forehead, ears, and neck. You can apply it before your child goes to bed, then wash it off in the morning.

• For older kids and adults:

  • Apply the cream or lotion to the skin all over the body below the neck, not just on the area with the rash. Follow the instructions for how long to leave it on before washing it off.

• Keep the cream or lotion away from the eyes, nose, and mouth.

• This treatment usually is repeated in 1 week.

If using medicine given by mouth:

• Take exactly as directed.

• This treatment usually is repeated in 2 weeks.

Other things to know:

• Anyone being treated should put on clean clothing or pajamas after applying the medicine.

• Wash all bedding, clothing, towels, and any other washable belongings in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. You also can dry clean or seal them in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours. Mites generally don't live more than 3 days away from human skin.

• Vacuum upholstered furniture and carpet.

• If your child has itching, try cool soaks or calamine lotion.

• Don't let your child scratch the sores or blisters because it can lead to a bacterial skin infection.

Your child:

• develops pus-filled sores

• shows signs of a skin infection, such as spreading redness, fever, warmth, or pain

• isn't sleeping due to itching

• is not improving after treatment or gets worse

What are the signs of scabies? Scabies mites burrow into the top layer of skin, where they lay their eggs. A person with scabies usually has severe itching, which might be worse at night. A rash with small bumps or blisters develops. Sometimes raised wavy lines where the mites have burrowed may appear, especially on the inner part of the wrist or between the fingers or toes.

Is scabies contagious? Yes. The infestation spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact. People infested for the first time may not have any symptoms for 4–6 weeks, but can still spread mites during that time. It's also possible to catch scabies from items like clothes, towels, or bedding. Scabies also can spread by sexual contact.

How is scabies treated? Scabies infestation usually can be treated with prescription creams or lotions applied to the skin. Itching can last for several weeks after scabies treatment. The health care provider may also recommend medicine to help itching if needed.