What are the symptoms?
The mites that cause scabies dig deep into the skin. This leads to a rash that is very itchy and red. Itchiness is usually worse at night. The rash usually appears between the fingers, in the groin area, between toes or around the wrists or elbows, but it may be found anywhere on the body.
In children under 2 years of age, the rash can appear on the head, face, neck, chest, abdomen, and back as white, curvy, thread-like lines, tiny red bumps or scratch marks.
How does it spread?
Scabies spreads from person to person by touch or contact with the clothes or other personal items of someone who has it. The mites can live off skin for up to 3 days.
Mites that are on clothing die when you wash them in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer.
How is it treated?
Scabies is treated with a cream or lotion that is prescribed by your doctor. You may need to do 2 treatments, 1 week apart.
Your child may still be itchy for a few weeks. It doesn’t mean that the mites are still there.
To prevent scabies from coming back, everyone who lives in your home will need to be treated at the same time.
What can parents do?
This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
