The word scabies is Latin for “itch” and that’s exactly what
your toddlers will do when they catch this infection. Scabies are most commonly small mites (1/60th
of an inch long), which infest the skin. The risk of contagion is very high as scabies can be caught
by being in skin to skin contact. It is very likely for your toddlers to pass the infection on to
other family members.
The symptoms will generally proceed from:
- Stage One skin irritation to
- Stage Two itchiness around hands and fingers to
- Stage Three bilateral rashes on knees and elbows
Small pustules and blisters are commonly noticed in toddlers. Boys may develop nodules
on their scrotum and penis.
Treatment
A topical ointment/medication prescribed by your doctor will usually
take care of the problem. Applying 5% permethrin cream or lotion (Elimite), available by
prescription, to a child’s entire body constitutes a typical treatment.
Don’t forget
to:
- Apply the cream also on the unaffected part of your toddler’s body
- Apply
cream between toes and fingers and under arms - Wash hands in the morning as toddlers tend to
suck on their fingers - Repeat treatment in case of repeated rashes
Scabies
takes at least 2-3 weeks to be treated. So parents need not worry and should apply the treatment
regularly till the symptoms finally go away.
Disclaimer: The above information is commonsense reflection drawn from
general experience. If you are looking for expert medical advice, please consult your
doctor.