Virtual Children's Hospital: CQQA: Scabies

Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Scabies (Itch Mite Infestation)

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: December 2001
Last Revision Date: April 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

What is scabies?

What causes scabies?

Who can get scabies?

Anyone can get scabies.
Being unclean or dirty does not cause infection.
Children are more likely than adults to get scabies because they play close to one another.
Pets can't get scabies or spread the infection.

What are the symptoms of scabies?

The most typical sign of scabies is an itchy rash or small, itchy blisters.
Blisters may break when your child scratches them. Skin may become thick, scaly, and have scratch marks.
Young children usually get the rash on their hands, feet, armpits, and sometimes their scalp and face.
Older children usually get the rash on their wrists, elbows, armpits, breasts, groin, genitals, and between the fingers.
The mite's burrows look like short, dark, wavy lines on the skin. These are usually found between the fingers and around the wrists.
Itching is worst at night or after a bath. Itching can make it hard to sleep.
Scabies does not cause fever.

Is scabies contagious?

Yes. Scabies is contagious.
Tell your child's school or daycare if your child has scabies. Other children should be checked and treated if needed.
Scabies is spread through direct contact (skin to skin) with a person who has scabies.
It can also be spread by sharing the same bed or through sexual contact.
Scabies can live on items used by an infected person. Contact with these items can spread infection.
A person with scabies can spread the infection before his symptoms have started.
After treatment, a person is still contagious for 2-4 hours.

How is scabies treated?

Everyone in your house should be treated for scabies at the same time whether they have symptoms or not.
Scabies is treated with medicated cream prescribed by a doctor. It must be put on correctly to work.
Rub the medicated cream over the entire body except the face and scalp.
Rub the cream between fingers, toes, on the genitals, and under the fingernails.
Wash the cream off with soap and water 8-12 hours after putting it on.
The medicated cream could make the skin dry and cause itching.
The day after treatment, you can use lotion (such as Lubriderm or Aveeno) for dry skin. Oatmeal baths and mild soap (such as Dove) can also help ease itching.
Anti-itch medications (such as Benadryl or Antarax) can help ease itching. These may help children sleep if given just before bedtime.
Keep your child's fingernails short to cut down on scratching.
Put mittens or socks on your child's hands before he goes to bed, especially if he sucks his thumb.

How long does scabies last?

One treatment will usually cure the infection.
Your child can go back to school or daycare the day after treatment.
Itching may last for several weeks while the skin heals.
Don't put medicated cream on again unless directed by the doctor.
Scratch marks will usually go away one or two weeks after treatment. It may take up to 2 months.

Can I prevent scabies?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent the spread of scabies.
Personal and household items should be washed to keep scabies from spreading.
Items should be washed in hot water, put in a hot dryer, or dry cleaned.
Seal items that can't be washed in plastic bags for two weeks. Mites will usually die after 3 or 4 days off the skin.
Vacuum furniture and carpeting. Do not spray the house with chemicals.
Teach your child not to share personal items with an infected person.
If scabies is not treated it can lead to more infections.

When should I call the doctor?

Call the doctor if your child has a skin itch.
Call the doctor if you're worried about your child's infection.
Call the doctor if skin looks infected or if the itchy rash has spread.
Call the doctor if your child's symptoms have worsened or not improved after 2 weeks.
Pregnant women and children under 2 years old may not be able to use medicated cream. Talk to the doctor about treatment.

Quick Answers

Scabies is a skin infection caused by a tiny insect called a mite.
The symptoms of scabies are caused by an allergic reaction to the mites.
Anyone can get scabies. Being unclean or dirty does not cause infection.
Scabies is contagious. It is spread through contact with infected person or items.
Scabies is treated with medicated cream prescribed by a doctor.
One treatment will usually cure the infection although itching may last for several weeks.
Personal and household items should be washed to keep scabies from spreading.
Call the doctor if you think your child has scabies.

References

The Children's Hospital, Boston, "Scabies," (Virtual children's Hospital) 1993. URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Infectious/Scabies1.html
KidsHealth, "Scabies," 1995-2000. URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=&article_set=22947
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal, "Scabies (Itch Mite Infestation)," (Virtual Children's Hospital). URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Infectious/Scabies2.html

See related Patient Topics Infections or Scabies.

See related Provider Topics or Infections.

http://www.vh.org/pediatric/patient/pediatrics/cqqa/scabies.html