Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version
Scabies - Brief Version
What are scabies?
Scabies are little bugs (mites) that get under the skin.
When your child has scabies, he may itch badly and have
little red bumps. Scabies are so small that you cannot see
them. Other people in the family may have them, too.
How can I take care of my child?
- Use a special cream just for scabies.
Put the cream on every part of the body from the neck
down. If your child is 1 year old, you do not need to
put the cream on their head, neck, or face. For babies
less than 1 year old, also put on the cream above the
neck. Put it on the forehead, temples, and neck. Do not
put the cream around your baby's mouth or chin.
Make sure you put on the cream on your child's belly
button, between the toes, or other creases. Leave some
cream under your child's fingernails. Put the cream on
all over your child's body, even in places where your
child is not scratching.
Give your child a bath 8 to 12 hours later to take off
the cream.
Most of the time, one treatment works. If your child
has very bad case of scabies, do the treatment again 1
week later.
- Take care of the itching
Your child may itch and have a rash for 2 to 3 weeks even
after you use the cream. Give cool baths to help. Do not
use soap. After the bath, put 1% hydrocortisone cream on
the rash.
- Going back to school
Your child can go back to school after one treatment with
the scabies medicine.
- Treat close family and friends
Everyone living in your house should get treated. Your
child's close friends and baby sitters also need to get
scabies medicine. Pregnant women may need a different
medicine for scabies. They should talk to their doctor.
- Make sure to wash your child's clothes and bedding.
Machine wash your child's bedding and clothes that your
child wears all the time. Also, wash your child's,
pillowcases, underwear, and pajamas. Put blankets and
pillows away in a closet for 3 days. This will kill the
scabies.
Call your child's doctor during office hours if:
- Your child has sores that get bigger or drain pus.
- New scabies begin after your child has been treated.
- You have other concerns or questions.
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