Childhood Illnesses

Scabies

Scabies is a common condition caused by an allergic reaction to tiny mites which burrow under the skin to lay their eggs.

It is important to treat scabies as quickly as possible to prevent it spreading to other people and to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.

The symptoms normally include:

Severe itching. This often starts on the hands before moving to other parts of the body and can be worse at night.
Blisters or a raised rash, often on the hands, but also on the wrists, elbows, armpits, buttocks, thighs and feet.

Scabies can be spread from one person to another through longer-lasting skin to skin contact.

Close up of light skin, tiny red scab followed by a small track of raised bumps.

Tiny mites lay eggs in the skin, leaving lines with a dot at one end.

Red blotchy rash on light skinned knuckle and in between fingers.

The rash can appear anywhere, but it often starts between the fingers.

Close up of light skin with lots of red and pink raised shiny smooth dots

The rash may then spread and turn into tiny spots. This may look red on lighter skin.

Rash on medium brown skinned hand, red spots and smaller brown darks spots over knuckles and in between fingers

The rash may leave dark spots on the skin. This may look brown or black on darker skin.

Crusted scabies, or Norwegian Scabies, is a rare but more severe form of the condition, where a large number of mites are in the skin. In crusted scabies, the increase in the number of mites causes thick, warty crusts to develop on the skin. Unlike normal scabies, the rash associated with crusted scabies usually doesn't itch. Crusted scabies is more likely to develop in older people and those with a lowered immunity.

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Treatment

The usual treatment is either a cream containing permethrin or a lotion containing malathion. These will kill the mites.

A pharmacist can recommend the correct treatment, or it can be prescribed by a GP. You should tell the pharmacist if the treatment is for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or babies under six months old.

The cream or lotion should be applied to all areas of skin on the body. This includes your back, the bottom of your feet, between fingers and toes, around fingernails, hairless areas of the head, neck, face, ears and private areas (genitals).
There will be instructions on how to use the cream when you are given this.
It is important to follow instructions carefully and use for the recommended times.
The treatment often needs to be repeated after a few days.
The itching can take 2-3 weeks to get better.

How To Stop Scabies Spreading

As well as skin treatments, the following practical advice will help to prevent scabies spreading.

Clothes, towels, and bed linen should be machine washed at 50 degrees or higher after the first application of treatment.
Items that cannot be washed should be kept in plastic bags for at least 72 hours to contain the mites until they die. It is not necessary to fumigate furniture or carpets, but thorough vacuuming is recommended.
Everyone in the home needs to be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms.
Do not have sex or close physical contact until the full course of treatment is completed.

Who can Help?

You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

If you are 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.

The Lullaby Trust - Baby Check App - This app has simple checks that you can do if your baby is ill and helps you think about whether they need to see a doctor or health professional.