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- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis
- Chickenpox
- Colic
- Common Cold
- Constipation
- Cough
- Croup
- Diaper Rash
- Diarrhea
- Ear Infections
- Eye Infections
- Fever in Children
- Fifth Disease
- Fluoride
- Head Injuries
- Head Lice
- Immunizations
- Lead Poisonings
- Lyme Disease
- Nosebleeds
- Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
- Poisonings
- Scabies
- Sensitive Skin or Eczema
- Sore Throat/Strep Throat
- Thrush
- Vomiting
Caring for Children: Scabies
Scabies are tiny bugs that burrow under the skin and cause severe itching and little pink or flesh-colored bumps. They are so small that they can only be seen with a microscope. In adults and older children, they commonly infect the skin between the fingers, wrists and around the waist, but infection can occur anywhere. Scabies infections are very contagious and easily passed from person to person.
Treatment:
- Medicine for scabies is an insecticide like Elimite cream and is obtained by prescription. The medicine should be applied at night after a shower or bath. Apply on every part of the body from the neck down. For children with rash or itching on their head, the cream may be applied to the scalp, forehead and neck, but avoid the lower face. Pay attention to creases, belly buttons, and other easily missed places. Wash off the cream with a shower or bath in 8-14 hours.
- The itching and rash may normally last for up to three weeks after treatment. The itch can be helped by cool baths, calamine lotion, or 1% hydrocortisone cream.
- One treatment usually cures scabies. For severe rashes, treatment is sometimes repeated in one week.
- Machine wash in hot water all sheets, pillow cases, underwear, pajamas, and recently worn clothing. Scabies are killed by temperatures over 120° F for five minutes. Anything that cannot be washed should be put in a plastic bag for three days. Scabies cannot live outside the human body for this long.
- Symptoms of scabies can take up to 30 days to appear after exposure. Everyone living in the home should also be treated with Elimite in the same manner. Children can return to school after one treatment with Elimite.
