A clear UK parent guide to kids’ itching: quick relief, top causes, safe treatments, and red flags. Evidence-backed tips you can use tonight.
24
Aug
Scabies in Kids – What Parents Need to Know
If your child is constantly scratching, especially at night, scabies could be the cause. It’s a tiny mite that burrows under the skin and spreads quickly through close contact. The good news? You can recognize it early and treat it without panic.
Spotting the Signs Early
The first clue is an itchy rash that gets worse after a warm shower or bedtime. Look for tiny, raised bumps or thin lines (called burrows) on the wrists, elbows, fingers, waistline, and behind the knees. In babies, the rash often appears on the head, neck, palms, and soles of the feet.
Kids may also develop red patches that turn into crusty sores if they scratch a lot. The itching usually peaks 2‑4 weeks after the first infection because the body is reacting to the mites’ waste. If several family members have similar rashes, scabies is likely the common link.
Effective Treatment Options
The go‑to medicine for kids is a prescription cream called permethrin 5%. You apply it from the neck down (or all over for infants), leave it on for about 8‑14 hours, then wash it off. A second application a week later kills any newly hatched mites.
If permethrin isn’t available or causes irritation, a lotion with sulfur (5%–10%) works well, especially for babies under two months. Oral ivermectin is another option, but doctors usually reserve it for stubborn cases because of dosage concerns in young children.
Beyond medication, clean the environment to stop re‑infection. Wash all bedding, towels, and clothing in hot water (at least 50°C/122°F) and dry on high heat. Items that can’t be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for three days – mites can’t survive without food.
Vacuum carpets and upholstery thoroughly, then discard the vacuum bag or clean the container. Keep your child’s nails short to reduce skin damage from scratching.
Most kids feel better within a few days of starting treatment, but the itching may linger for up to two weeks. Using soothing lotions like calamine or applying cool compresses can ease discomfort during this period.
If symptoms persist after two weeks of proper cream use, contact your pediatrician. Sometimes a secondary bacterial infection develops from scratched skin, and that needs antibiotics.
Remember, scabies isn’t a sign of poor hygiene – anyone can catch it. Prompt detection, correct medication, and thorough cleaning keep the whole family safe and itch‑free.