Scabies in children - photos at different stages, treatment of childhood scabies

If you don't know how scabies is transmitted, you can easily catch this unpleasant disease. As practice shows, you can become infected with this dangerous dermatological disease anywhere. The routes of infection with scabies are varied - there are both contact and non-contact. If the disease is not noticed in time, you may miss the opportune moment to start treatment. Spreading throughout the body and capturing ever larger areas, parasites cause severe allergic reactions. If the disease is not treated, it can last for years.

Causes of scabies in children

Scabies is a skin disease that develops after scabies mites come into contact with the skin. The scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) is a parasite that penetrates the layers of the skin and feeds on their cells.

It is not possible to see it yourself; the scabies mite is very small and can only be seen under a microscope. Children are more susceptible to tick damage due to the insufficiently formed protective function of the skin.

Scabies is a highly contagious disease; infection often occurs through contact:

• From an infected person or animal;
• Through household items - towel, bed linen, toys;
• Through the personal belongings of the infected person;

It is possible for scabies mites to enter through skin lesions. Infections often occur in preschool institutions and extracurricular activities where there is a large concentration of children. Factors that increase the risk of scabies mite infection have been identified:

• Low level of immunity;
• History of chronic diseases;
• Poor nutrition;
• Diseases of the blood and blood vessels.

The incubation period (the time from the parasite entering the layers of the epidermis to the appearance of the first symptoms) for scabies is very short; the mite penetrates the layers of the skin within an hour.

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Sources of infection are waiting for you

Where does scabies come from in wealthy families? Although ticks are rarely transmitted through objects, a large concentration of patients is important. Thus, an indicative case was when, during an epidemic in a children's boarding school, educators and teachers also fell ill. We list all the ways of tick infection.

• The tick is transmitted from person to person through direct contact.
• Is scabies transmitted through sex? Yes, the infection is classified as a sexually transmitted disease.
• The everyday path is from parents to children or vice versa. How to get scabies in your own home? It is enough to sleep with the patient in the same bed.
• Much less often through objects touched by the patient.
• Norwegian scabies is the most contagious type of disease. It is actively transmitted even through objects.

How is scabies transmitted from person to person without close skin-to-skin contact? A demonstration experiment was carried out in the UK. A healthy person was put into the bed from which the sick person had just gotten out of. Of the 273 volunteers, only 4 people became infected.

Such restrictions in the transmission of infection through non-contact means are explained by the peculiarities of the parasite’s life activity:

• The female is active only at night.
• It takes about 30 minutes for the itch to penetrate and establish itself on the skin of a new host.
• The tick dies in the external environment within one and a half days.

Is scabies in humans contagious to pets? No, animals get sick from other species. But a person can get a dose of infection from a sick animal. Dogs, cats, cows, and goats are carriers of Sarcoptes scabiei. This parasite lives on human skin. However, he soon dies and the man recovers. No treatment required.

Symptoms of scabies in children

After entering the layers of the skin, the female mite lays eggs, the larvae become active individuals after two weeks, the female lives on the human body for about two months, at which time the body becomes very sensitive to the vital activity of the mite, so itching appears.

The main symptom of scabies in children is severe itching, which gets worse at night. In addition to itching, the following is noted:

• Small scarlet rash;
• The presence of scabies – a raised visible line up to 1 centimeter in size above the skin;
• The first rashes can be found between the fingers and on the folds of the arms;
• Nail changes – the nail plate becomes brittle or thickens;
• Formation of blood crusts;
• Swelling of the affected skin segments.

Infants may experience loss of appetite, increased body temperature, lethargy, increased irritability, and a small rash over the entire body area.

The typical course of the disease begins between the fingers, then spreads and can be localized on the head and feet, lower abdomen, back and buttocks, sometimes the rash is located on the nipple halos and genitals.

You can see the symptoms of scabies in children in the photo section.

Background for the development of the disease

Contact with a mite carrier alone does not necessarily mean that scabies symptoms will inevitably appear, but certain factors can actively contribute to this. Thus, immunosuppressive conditions, disorders of peripheral sensitivity, and HIV can provoke the need for treatment of the disease shown in the photo in children.

There are several forms of scabies:

1. The typical form is caused by female mites during their puberty; it is characterized by scabies burrows, at the mouth of which you can see a dark point (the body of the mite).
2. Without running scabies – young individuals get under the skin, skin irritations arise due to the activity of the mite.
3. Nodular form - occurs when ticks that are not capable of reproducing come into contact with the skin. The rash occurs due to an allergy to mite waste.
4. False scabies - infection with this type of scabies occurs from contact with an infected animal, such individuals are not dangerous to humans, cannot penetrate the layers of the human epidermis and reproduce. Parasites die on their own. With pseudo scabies, a person is not considered infectious.
5. Scabies “incognito” - occurs in people who abuse antibacterial agents; some of the parasites are washed off, but at the same time the barrier function of the skin is disrupted, which allows parasites to enter the layers of the epidermis. The rash with this form of scabies is practically invisible and pale in color.
6. The cortical form is a severe form of the disease. Many scabies are formed, the rash is extensive, affecting multiple areas of the skin. The rash is inflamed, purulent formations are noted. This form is considered the most contagious.

You can see signs of forms of scabies in children in the photo section.

How NOT to get scabies

Prevention of scabies in humans lies in adherence to hygiene and a healthy disdain for suspicious places and objects. Moreover, everything is good in moderation. Fanaticism is also inappropriate here.

1. Keep your hands and body clean. However, do not get carried away with disinfection: all antiseptic products dry out the skin, which is also harmful to local immunity.
2. Try to stock up on individual underwear in case you travel by train. Common items on hiking trips, at recreation centers, and hotels can introduce not only scabies, but also bring lice, fleas, and bedbugs into your life. These are sleeping bags, pillows, mattresses, used bedding.
3. A condom does not protect against this infection, because the itch changes host with close skin-to-skin contact. And it likes to settle not only on the genitals, but also on the arms, under the breasts, and in the groin.

When the tick is already nearby

Can scabies not be passed on within a family? If one of your loved ones gets scabies, you need to thoroughly treat the entire house and take preventive measures for healthy family members.

1. Treat the sick person thoroughly and completely.
2. Treat the rest of the household with the medicinal drug once.
3. Boil bedding and clothes that the patient used 3 days before diagnosis. In winter, things can be kept in the cold for several hours.
4. Treat the remaining items with A-PAR spray.
5. Vacuum upholstered furniture, carpets, car seats, and throw away the dust bag.
6. Do wet cleaning.
7. Items that cannot be processed should be packed in a clean bag and kept in quarantine for one week. Without a host, the itch dies after 3 days.

Diagnosis of scabies

Scabies causes severe discomfort and affects the human immune system, so it is very important to diagnose the disease in time and begin treatment.

To diagnose scabies use:

• Removing the tick for microscopic examination;
• Scraping is the collection of skin particles for examination under a microscope;
• Iodine or aniline dye - applied to the affected area of ​​the skin, iodine, penetrating under the skin, colors the scabies;
• A dermatoscope is a device for 600x magnification; it can be used to detect the scabies tract and the body of the mite.
• Laboratory tests - general analysis of blood, urine and feces to identify concomitant diseases.

Severe itching caused by scabies leads to scratching of the skin, which can lead to infection and complications.

In addition to infection, other complications are possible: eczema, tissue inflammation, inflammation of the lymph nodes, kidney pathologies, blood poisoning (sepsis). To avoid negative consequences, treatment should not be ignored.

Based on the results of tests and studies, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Diagnosis is necessary because scabies symptoms are similar to the manifestations of other diseases - urticaria, measles, atopic dermatitis, allergic reactions.

If one family member is infected, all household members are examined, due to the high contagiousness of the disease.

How symptoms develop

1. Itching and inflamed areas in the affected areas are nothing more than an allergic reaction to the waste products of itching: saliva, excrement, eggs, and other secretions. During initial infection, symptoms develop slowly. It takes about 4 weeks before the patient notices that something is wrong with him. Infection of scratches with staphylococcus and streptococcus leads to the appearance of purulent blisters (pyoderma).
2. With repeated infection, the body reacts faster, the symptoms develop urgently - within a day the skin itches and becomes covered in a rash. After the initial infection, a protective mechanism develops in the body, so re-infection occurs less frequently, and tick populations are small.
3. Norwegian scabies is the most severe and insidious type of disease. Due to reduced immunity, the patient almost does not feel itching. Tick ​​colonies grow to incredible sizes. About 1,000,000 itches settle on the body of one patient. The patient's body becomes covered with scabs and scabs. The reasons for the occurrence of scabies in such a frightening form are the lack of timely treatment, low immunity, and skin characteristics.

Treatment of scabies in children

Self-medication of scabies is unacceptable, especially for children. The dermatologist prescribes a treatment regimen based on tests and taking into account the patient’s age. In addition to medications, underwear and bedding, the child’s personal clothing, and toys should be treated.

The child is under doctor's supervision for a couple of months. After complete recovery, re-testing is recommended.

Treatment of scabies in children with medications

For the treatment of scabies the following is prescribed:

• Tablets – antihistamines, to eliminate itching; antibacterial - to act on ticks; immunostimulating – for low immunity.
• Sprays - often used to treat scabies in children, sprays are aimed at eliminating itching and local effects on the pathogen, in order to reduce lesions.
• Ointments - used to relieve pain, normalize the functioning of skin cells and tissue regeneration.

Self-prescribing and taking pharmaceutical drugs is unacceptable.

Myths about the scabies mite

• Causes of scabies - dirty hands This is partly true. The good habit of washing your hands with soap often saves you from many problems. But the statement that itching is the privilege of disadvantaged people is erroneous. The scabies mite is extremely indiscriminate; even very wealthy and prosperous people suffer from scabies.
• I can't have scabies! We have already said that the ways of transmitting scabies are very different. Even the money we pick up every day can be a carrier of infection. For children, there are even more dangers - a favorite sandbox, the skin of a cute pussy, someone's lost toy can serve as a temporary shelter for ticks. Alas, the disease is very contagious and its routes of transmission are often unpredictable. How quickly does it appear after infection? An adult tick makes itself known within a week. If live eggs get on your skin, it may take a month before you realize that you have become a victim of an insidious itch.
• Scabies is scabies, you can’t confuse it with anything else. Even experienced doctors sometimes make mistakes. Especially in the case of incognito scabies. If a good dermatologist has doubts, he will definitely want to confirm the diagnosis by referring the patient for additional examination.
• Analyzes don't lie! Unfortunately, this is far from the case. Misdiagnosis of scabies is not uncommon. If the laboratory technician does not find an itch in the scraping, this does not mean that the doctor made a mistake in diagnosis. Perhaps the mite simply did not get into the materials being studied.
• You can remain silent about scabies It would seem easy to buy Sulfur Ointment and quickly get rid of the parasite! Are you sure that you have not infected your loved ones or colleagues, who, by the way, may have small children? It would be much more correct and honest to warn your friends and stay at home for a while. Let us repeat that scabies is very contagious!
• “I brought scabies from the Chinese Eastern Railway!” A skin and venous dispensary is almost a secure institution with a specific contingent of patients. Need I say how carefully hygiene is monitored in such places, and how careful doctors are? Where does scabies come from in a sterile institution? Dermatologists communicate with infectious patients every day, for a long time. And, mind you, none of them are itchy or covered in suspicious pimples or scratches.
• Scabies goes away in a week If you start treatment on time and correctly, then yes. Some drugs are very irritating to the skin, so after healing, itching may remain for some time. Or the patient himself is prone to allergies. Some patients become psychologically dependent on itching and for a long time after healing they suffer from a phobia, noting crawling, moving, or scratching under the skin.
• After scabies, immunity appears, like after chickenpox. Partly yes. Re-infection is difficult. And if it happens, it is much more difficult for the itch to penetrate and survive. But 100% immunity does not occur. You may get scabies many, many more times.

Treatment of scabies in children with folk remedies

There are many traditional medicines for the treatment of scabies; all folk methods can be an addition to the main drug treatment and are used to eliminate discomfort. The most common and effective folk remedies for treating scabies in children:

• Bread kvass has an antibacterial effect. Used in the form of baths or lotions;
• Birch tar is a well-known remedy for the treatment of many skin diseases; it has an antibacterial, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effect.
• Celandine is used for the manufacture of many pharmacological preparations, has a detrimental effect on many viruses and infections, and has wound-healing and antimicrobial properties.
• Propolis is recognized as a natural antibiotic and has an antibacterial anti-inflammatory effect. It is used in the form of lotions; ointments and tinctures are made on its basis.

Before using any traditional methods, you should first discuss the possibility of their use with your doctor.

Traditional methods can alleviate the course of the disease, but are not able to have a detrimental effect on ticks, therefore they are not used independently, but only as an auxiliary therapy.

Treatment for itching on hands

Scabies therapy can be carried out at home, with the exception of the Norwegian one. To treat diseases on the hands, medications and folk remedies are used.

Medicines:

• Sulfuric ointment. It is considered the most accessible and effective way to get rid of the disease. Damaged areas on the hands are washed with a hard washcloth. The ointment is applied to these areas for five days in the evening.
• Benzyl benzoate. An emulsion or ointment is used. Damaged areas are treated with the emulsion three times a day for three days. Scabies cream Benzyl benzoate is applied to inflammation on the first and fourth days of therapy.
• Spray Spregal. The drug is in a convenient form, applied to damaged skin once every twelve hours. However, in most cases, re-treatment is not required.
• Permethrin. It is commercially available in several forms - ointment, spray, lotion. Inflamed areas are subject to double treatment.

In certain cases, a specialist will prescribe special sulfur-based talkers, which are prepared in pharmacies. The use of traditional medicine will help reduce the manifestation of the disease and relieve itching. There are quite a lot of recipes for such remedies.

Methods:

• Four parts of celandine juice are mixed with one part of Vaseline. The resulting ointment is used to treat areas of the skin on the hands with inflammation.
• Mix onion and garlic in vegetable oil, bring to a boil, and cook. Use this product to lubricate the skin of your hands.
• Birch tar can be used to treat the disease. It is applied to inflammations.
• Hand baths with the addition of a decoction of celandine, calendula, and chamomile will help soothe irritated skin and get rid of unpleasant symptoms.

The use of traditional medicine is allowed by official specialists. It is necessary to monitor the skin's reaction to any substance in order to avoid exacerbation of scabies.

Treatment is carried out on all patients at the same time. People who are close to sick people undergo a one-time treatment of the dermis.

Prevention of scabies in children

The health of the child directly depends on the parents, so parents should examine the skin of their children, if signs of scabies are detected, contact a specialist, do not interrupt treatment, this will speed up recovery and avoid negative consequences.

By following simple preventive tips, you can avoid infection:

1. Strengthen the child’s immunity, harden it, nutrition should be balanced and rich in vitamins.
2. Teach hygiene rules.
3. Avoid contact with infected people, do not use their personal belongings.
4. Teach children not to come into contact with stray animals. (animals that do not have visible pathologies can be carriers of the disease)
5. Properly care for your child's skin - do not use rough washcloths, avoid detergents with aggressive ingredients, treat wounds and abrasions with antiseptic solutions, select cosmetics (creams, oils) that suit the child's skin type.

Scabies does not go away on its own; if you ignore the disease, there is a risk of complications and the disease becoming chronic.

During the illness, the child is suspended from attending kindergarten, school and other extracurricular activities until complete recovery and passing control tests.

Drugs for the treatment of adults purchased at a pharmacy

If demodicosis develops on the face of a woman, man or child, consider products for external use in the form of lotions, creams, ointments and gels.

Ichthyol ointment

When studying the question of how to treat demodicosis, this drug is one of the first to be considered. The active substance in the composition is ichthyol. Main properties:

• pain reliever (acts locally);
• anti-inflammatory;

• antiseptic;
• keratoplasty.

Ichthyol ointment

Permethrin ointment

If the subcutaneous mite is activated, the symptoms are eliminated with this drug; it contains an insecticide of the pyrethroid class. It is recommended to use it for scabies. However, treatment is also carried out for subcutaneous mites. The product is universal and can be prescribed by a doctor to children from 2 months of age.

Permethrin ointment

Sulfuric ointment

This is a highly concentrated preparation that will contain 33% of precipitated sulfur. Main properties: antimicrobial, antiparasitic. With the help of such a remedy you can be treated for scabies and various skin diseases (infectious).

The drug has antiseptic properties

Yam - healing ointment

If you are studying the question of how to cure demodicosis, you can use this drug. It contains birch tar, gum turpentine, sulfur, salicylic acid, zinc oxide. The product is positioned as a fungicidal-acaricidal ointment. You can purchase it at a veterinary pharmacy.

Antitoxic agent

Benzyl benzoate

The parasitic disease is treated with this drug, and quite successfully. The product contains the active component of the same name. For the treatment of subcutaneous mites in children, it is prescribed from 3 years of age.

The first assistant in the fight against the parasite

Gel Delex-acne

The product is used for acne and pimples; mites are destroyed due to the presence of sulfur and plant extracts in the composition. If a facial parasite has embedded itself in the skin, we can get rid of it with this drug due to its universal action. Basic properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• absorbable;

• antibacterial;
• drying.

Gel Delex-acne

Demalan

When demodex appears, facial skin treatment is carried out with this product due to the composition: chamomile extract, olive oil, native glycans. This is a cosmetic cream and therefore should be used as an adjunct to therapy. It is designed to remove demodex.

Gel Demalan