What is scabies in children and how to treat it

Children have poor physical fitness and are easily infected with diseases. If they are not careful, they will get skin diseases. So what is scabies in children? What are the symptoms of scabies in children? How to treat scabies in children? The following editor will introduce you in detail.

What is scabies in children?

Scabies is caused by a type of mite that is invisible to the naked eye, the scabies mite, which invades the human skin. Scabies mites parasitize in the epidermis of human and mammal skin. After burrowing into the skin, they will produce mechanical stimulation to the human skin, causing itching. Dead scabies mites and their eggs and feces can cause skin allergies, causing papules, blisters or pustules on the skin, accompanied by extreme itching. Scabies mites usually like to invade delicate parts of the skin or places where dirt accumulates, such as between fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, under the nipples, vulva, groin, etc. Delicate babies are more susceptible to scabies than adults.

Scabies is highly contagious and is a disease that is spread through close contact and is very harmful. For babies with scabies, parents should understand its symptoms and know how to prevent and care for scabies.

There are many causes of scabies. Scabies is highly contagious, so scabies mites can be transmitted to other people by sleeping in the same bed, using the same blanket, or using clothes, shoes, socks, hats, toys, etc. used by sick children. Sometimes, it can even be transmitted by shaking hands with sick children. Adult scabies mites often like to move at night, so the source of infection for infants and young children with scabies is mostly family members or nannies who sleep in the same bed with them or often take care of the children.

What are the symptoms of scabies in children

When a baby has scabies, the basic symptoms are needle-sized papules and blisters on the skin surface. These are mostly tunnels dug by scabies mites in the epidermis. Some patients may develop soybean-sized nodules on the scrotum and penis, which mothers can clearly see when bathing their babies.

The baby's skin is damaged, usually between the fingers, the flexor side of the wrist, the lower abdomen, the upper inner thigh, the external genitalia, etc., but it is rare to see skin damage on the face. Scabies mites or eggs can be found in the rash.

The baby's skin itches severely, making the baby extremely uncomfortable and crying constantly, especially at night;

After the baby scratches the affected area, it may develop eczematoid changes, impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis, etc. Baby scabies is easily confused with eczema. But the difference between the two is that scabies is contagious and belongs to contact infection, while eczema is mostly caused by allergies or heat, and may also be caused by genetics. It is recommended that parents take their babies to the hospital for treatment to determine whether it is scabies or eczema, so as to treat the symptoms.

How to treat scabies in children

Sulfur ointment: Sulfur ointment is a commonly used medicine for treating scabies. Apply it all over the body from the neck down, once a night, for 7-10 days. Use 10% sulfur ointment for adults and 5% sulfur ointment for children to reduce irritation. Do not take a bath or change clothes during the application of the ointment. Observe for 2 weeks after the treatment to determine the efficacy. If there is a recurrence, treat it in time.

1% benzyl hexachloride (-666) cream: such as scabies cream, scabies treatment, etc. This type of medicine needs to be used in reduced amounts. If the baby's skin is damaged, it should not be used. The usage is to dry for half an hour after bathing, apply the medicine once, and bathe after 24 hours. This medicine is a tasteless, odorless, non-irritating scabicide with good efficacy, but it has potential harm after being absorbed through the skin.

25% benzyl benzoate emulsion: This drug is effective in killing scabies mites. Apply the drug 1-2 times a day for 2-3 days.

Metronidazole: Also known as metronidazole, it is a drug that kills scabies mites and is an oral medicine. Take 0.2g each time, 3 times a day, and use it for 7 consecutive days as a course of treatment. You can also use 2%-3% metronidazole ointment externally.

30% sodium thiosulfate solution: Apply all over the body twice a day and it will be cured in 1 week.

Youlifu Ointment: Apply all over the body once every night for 3-5 days.