Contents
Scabies commonly affects the skin of babies and children. It is caused by minute insects named mites. Parents need not worry as scabies is less of an infection and more of a nuisance. You may think that scabies occurs only because of unhygienic habits, but the truth is scabies can occur by using the personal items, clothes or coming into skin contact with an infected person. Read on to know more about
what is scabies.
Symptoms of Scabies
- Scabies mites go deep inside the skin to cause an itchy rash.
- The rash may look like scratches, red bumps or white threads.
- It is usually seen around elbows or wrists, or between fingers.
- In babies, the rash may appear on the neck, face, head or anywhere on the body.
Transmission of Scabies
Scabies mites live up to four days on the skin, clothes and other objects. So, infected clothes and items should be stored inside a plastic bag for four days to get rid of them. You can also watch the clothes, blankets and bed sheets in hot water and dry them using the ‘hot’ cycle option to get rid of scabies mites.
Treatment of Scabies
Your doctor will prescribe a cream to get rid of scabies. But, the child may continue to feel itchy for some more time even after the scabies disappears. This happens even after the mites disappear. There is no need to worry as the child is only reacting to the experience. Do not scrape the itchy rash as you might inadvertently remove the mites out of the skin. Your doctor will gently scrape the rash to detect the mites using a microscope.
Take Medications to Stop Itching
Apply the doctor’s cream on the affected spot and leave it on overnight. Next morning, wash the spot with water. Ensure you rub the cream between your fingers as this a favorite place for the mites to attack. To stop the itching, your doctor may suggest a few other medicines. If itching continues even after the rashes disappear, continue taking these medicines for relief.
How to Prevent Scabies Transmission
You need to ensure the scabies mites do not attack other people in the house and outside. Therefore as mentioned earlier, wash the affected person’s clothes and all personal items in hot, soapy water and dry using the hottest option available in the dryer. You should also place the infected person’s pillows, dolls etc in airtight plastic bags for four days to kill the mites. Then, vacuum your house
just to be sure.
Home Remedies for Scabies
Mix turmeric powder in mustard oil and add some neem (Azadirachta indica or Margosa) leaves. Mix them and form a paste. Apply the paste on the infected parts and keep it on for about an hour. Then, take a hot bath to remove the paste and get relief. You can also boil a few neem leaves in water and drink a tablespoon of this liquid.
Summary
There is absolutely no need to worry if you or your children suffer a scabies attack. Simply follow the instructions in this article to get relief and prevent transmission of the mites and further attacks.
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