$Unique_ID{PAR00143}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Scabies}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Scabies itching red dots black gray skin lines antihistamines mites
nipples face Lindane ointment poisonous lotion mite Sarcoptes scabiei insect
Infestation Infestations finger fingers toe toes palm palms hand hands wrist
wrists armpit armpits waistline penis insects burrowing allergic reaction
gamma benzene hexachloride crotamiton antibiotics antibiotic ointments}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Scabies


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Severe itching
     - Small red dots or black or gray lines on the skin

     HOME CARE
     - Give nonprescription antihistamines to relieve itching.
     - Carefully follow the doctor's instructions for treating scabies, and
       make sure that all family members are treated at the same time.
     - Carefully launder the infected child's undergarments, bedding, and
       towels to destroy the mites.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - If mites attack the skin around a nursing mother's nipples, scabies can
       occur on her baby's face.
     - Secondary infection can occur if the child scratches the infested skin.
     - Consult a doctor before using any medications for scabies.
     - Consult a doctor before applying any medication to the face of a baby
       with scabies.
     - Lindane ointment and lotion, which are sometimes prescribed to treat
       scabies, are poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children.
     - If treatment does not clear up scabies, the person may be reinfested.
       Consult your doctor.
     - Scabies is easily transferred from one person to another, and all
       family members should be treated at the same time.


     Scabies is a skin infection caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, a
crawling insect barely visible to the eye.  The mite burrows under the skin to
lay eggs.  The eggs hatch quickly, and the immature mites tunnel for two weeks
until they mature.  Mature mites congregate around hair follicles, mate, and
begin the cycle all over again.  Scabies is easily transmitted to others and
can be spread by direct human contact.  It is rarely spread by animals.
     Infestation by mites typically occurs between the fingers and toes, on
the palms of the hands and undersides of the wrists, in the armpits, at the
waistline, and on the penis.  Because mites may also attack the skin around a
woman's nipples, scabies sometimes occurs on the face of a breast-fed infant.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     The burrowing of the insects and the allergic reaction to their presence
under the skin cause relentless itching.  When the child scratches to relieve
the itching, secondary infection can set in.
     The diagnosis is based on the appearance and location on the skin of the
small, red dots that mark the openings to the mites' burrows and the gray or
black lines that mark their tunnels.  However, these signs on the skin can be
obscured by scratching.

HOME CARE

     Mites can be destroyed by applying an ointment or lotion containing
lindane, gamma benzene hexachloride, or crotamiton.  Before you use these
medications, discuss them with your doctor.  The medication is applied to all
skin surfaces except the head and the face.  If your infant appears to have
scabies on the face, consult your doctor before applying any medication.
Because scabies is so easily transmitted from person to person, all family
members should receive treatment at the same time.  Treatment can be repeated
once or twice.  Nonprescription antihistamines may be used for temporary
relief of itching.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  If marks on the skin and itching continue after treatment, reinfestation
     may have occurred, or there may be a persistent allergic reaction or
     secondary infection.  Do not keep treating the condition in the hope
     that it will clear up; see your doctor.
  -  Destroy mites on undergarments, bedding, and towels by thorough
     laundering.
  -  In both ointment and lotion form, lindane is poisonous.  Be sure to keep
     it out of the reach of children.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics to treat a secondary
infection and antihistamines to relieve an allergic reaction.

RELATED TOPICS:  Head lice; Impetigo