Scabies In Babies: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

When babies are affected with scabies, it is called infantile scabies and it is caused by a parasitic mite called Sarcoptes scabies. This mite digs into the skin when in contact and creates a microscopic cut, with its mouth, and enters into the skin. Once entered, it digs its way in deeper, leaving its eggs along the way.

These eggs, then hatch into their larvae and feed on the baby’s hair follicles and dead skin leaving rashes everywhere in the body. These mites aren’t naturally present in the body and hence the baby must have gotten them from some external source.

How Does a Baby Catch Scabies?

Babies get affected with scabies predominantly through external sources only such as;

• Direct contact with a person who is already infected with scabies.
• Direct contact with animals who are infected.
• Sharing a bed or wearing another child’s clothes who is infected.
• Infants spend most of their time in daycare.
• While petting a domestic animal or pet at home who may have mites.

What Are the Symptoms of Scabies?

Once the mites have entered the skin, the symptoms that show the baby is affected with scabies will only begin to appear after two or four weeks only.

The main symptoms are:

• Bumps of small red rashes appear in clusters. Usually, these rashes appear on the folds of the baby’s skin such as the inner thighs, elbows, knees, underarms, fingers, neck, palm, and genital area.
• Intense itching in the affected areas, especially during the nights. This itching is caused because of the allergic reaction of the body to the mites and their eggs.
• In babies, the itching due to scabies usually intensifies after a hot bath.
• Pink or white colored lines appear on the skin near the affected areas.

How Is Scabies Diagnosed?

 It is important that scabies is diagnosed at an early stage to avoid further complications for the baby.

Scabies can be diagnosed in two steps;

1. The doctor can detect the infection by visually examining the pattern and density of the rashes along with the existence of white or pink burrow lines.
2. If rashes are found, they are gently scraped off the skin and examined under the microscope to check for the presence of mites and eggs.

What Are the Complications Of Scabies In Babies?

If not treated rightly, scabies in babies can lead to;

• The bacterial infection causes pus and sores to occur.
• Inflammation of the skin due to intense scratching.
• Babies with less immunity are prone to Norwegian scabies, where the mites multiply at a rapid rate which will be difficult to treat.

How Is Scabies Treated?

Infantile scabies can be treated in the following ways;

• For babies who are two months old or more, Permethrin ointment can be used on the whole body. This will kill all the mites and their eggs. Follow your pediatrician’s directions of use for this cream.
• For babies who are below two months old, Sulphur ointment can be used and the process is the same as Permethrin ointment.
• To regulate the intense itch, an oral antihistamine can be given to the baby. It does not treat scabies, but it will help your baby to have a peaceful daily routine without itching.

Before applying any medication, you have to take care of the following steps for the best results.

• Give your baby a lukewarm bath and pat dry. Remember that the scrubbing will aggravate the issue.
• Make sure the ointment or crème covered all the creases of the baby’s body.
• The crème/ointment should remain in the baby’s body for 8 to 12 hours
• Likewise, bathe your baby well after 12 hours removing the crème completely from the skin.

How to Manage Infantile Scabies at Home?

You can take these precautions at home to protect the baby from further infection and also protect other family members;

• Baby’s clothes must be washed separately from other clothes, preferably in hot water with a mild baby detergent.
• Dry the clothes in sunlight to kill any mites on the clothes.
• Make sure to put on cotton, soft, and loose clothing for the baby.
• The Baby’s nails should be trimmed to avoid scratching while itching.
• Disinfect and dry the bedding of a baby in direct sunlight for three days.
• Keeping your home clean and hygienic is the best way to avoid spreading the infection further.

Ways To Prevent Scabies In Infants?

 By following a few simple precautions, infantile scabies can be prevented completely;

• Maintain a distance from scabies-affected people because scabies can easily be transmitted through direct skin contact.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother and have contracted scabies, it is better to express milk and ask a family member to feed and look after the baby until you recover.
• Maintain overall general cleanliness and hygiene at home and for baby’s things.

When To Seek Medical Attention For Scabies In Babies?

Any unusual rashes appearing on the baby’s skin should be brought to the attention of your child’s doctor.

However, never hesitate to consult your baby’s doctor if:

• The itching shows no signs of disappearing for more than a week,
• If the itching stops after a while and then comes back
• The itching is followed by bleeding, scabs, or pus-filled sores

Scabies can be extremely uncomfortable for babies as the inflammations and rashes can cause severe itching. Treating it at the right time will definitely cure the infection and relieve the baby from uneasiness quickly. However, it is best to prevent it in the first place with simple precautionary measures.