Child Skin Infestation: Root Causes, Signs, and Remedies
Scabies is a skin condition caused by tiny mites burrowing into the first layer of skin and laying eggs. It is important to remember that stopping treatment midway, not keeping the surroundings clean, self-medicating, or self-diagnosing can worsen the condition.
Symptoms of scabies in babies can include big, red rashes at the bottom of their feet, between their fingers and toes, on the inside of their wrists, and on the inside of their elbows. In toddlers, signs may also appear on the face or the sides of the sole. These rashes can cause severe itching due to allergic reactions and infections caused by the mites, their eggs, and faeces.
If anyone in a child's proximity has scabies, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. Symptoms in older children can include light-brown or silver wavy lines along the inside of their wrist, and in some cases, recurrent scabies.
Diagnosis of scabies is made through a simple, pain-free test where a doctor examines skin rash under a microscope for mites, eggs, and faeces. Treatment usually involves topical ointments and lotions applied to the scabs and the rest of the body.
To apply the medicated cream, it is recommended to cut nails, apply the cream first on scabs and rashes, starting from the neck, ensuring the cream stays on for the required period, and washing off the cream once the time period as mentioned by the doctor has expired.
Preventive measures focus on simultaneous treatment, personal hygiene, environmental cleaning, avoiding sharing items, and limiting close physical contact until mites are eradicated. Common preventive measures for scabies in children include treating all household members and close contacts simultaneously, even if they show no symptoms, to prevent reinfestation; avoiding close skin-to-skin contact with others until treatment is complete; maintaining strict personal hygiene; and thorough cleaning of clothing, bedding, towels, and frequently touched surfaces with hot water (at least 60°C) followed by drying on a hot cycle or dry cleaning. Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in plastic bags for about a week to ensure mites die off.
Additionally, avoiding sharing personal items such as towels and clothes is important. To prevent the spread of scabies, it is crucial to keep children away from school while they have the condition, as it is contagious and can spread in crowded places like daycares, train stations, schools, airports, and bus stops. Scabies mites can live in public spaces like bed linen, towels, clothing, and diapers for up to two or three days.
Strengthening the immune system through good nutrition, sleep, and stress management can also reduce the risk of recurrence. For children, it is advised to trim their fingernails to prevent spreading mites by scratching, keep them from scratching (for example, with mittens), and use cool baths or antihistamines for itch relief during recovery.
In summary, preventive measures, treatment, and hygiene practices are essential in managing and eradicating scabies. By following these guidelines, parents and caregivers can help protect their children and others from this contagious condition.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Scabies. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scabies/symptoms-causes/syc-20354859
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Scabies. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/index.html
[5] American Academy of Dermatology. (2021). Scabies. [online] Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scabies-overview
- Adequate parenting involves understanding the importance of seeking medical advice when a child shows signs of scabies, which can include skin conditions in unusual locations like the wrists, elbows, and soles.
- Keeping a child's health and wellness in focus, it's crucial to follow skincare routines that avoid the spread of skin conditions like scabies, especially during treatment, by preventing close contact, washing personal items, and maintaining clean surroundings.
- To promote health and wellness in children, it's important to emphasize not only the treatment and prevention of medical conditions like scabies, but also the reinforcement of good hygiene, proper nutrition, and stress management to build a strong immune system and reduce the risk of recurrence.
