Pediatric Scabies Treatment & Management

  • Author: Camila K Janniger, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 5, 2011
 

Medical Care

In scabies, the mainstay of treatment is scabicidal medications. Appropriate application and treatment of all contacts, including family members, is the key to successful treatment. Antipruritic measures and drugs should be used only in conjunction with scabicidal medications.

If available, videodermatoscopy can be used to enhance the monitoring of clinical response to treatment and allows for optimal timing of drug application.[13] This may minimize the risk of overtreatment, reduce the potential for side-effects, and enhance patient compliance.

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) have established guidelines on the management of scabies infestation.

Proceed to Medication
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Camila K Janniger, MD  Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Dermatology, New Jersey Medical School

Camila K Janniger, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Giuseppe Micali, MD  Head, Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Italy

Giuseppe Micali, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mudra Kumar, MD, MBBS, MRCP  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Mudra Kumar, MD, MBBS, MRCP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kevin P Connelly, DO  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Emergency Care, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Paws for Health Pet Visitation Program of the Richmond SPCA; Pediatric Emergency Physician, Emergency Consultants Inc, Chippenham Medical Center

Kevin P Connelly, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Scabies mite. Courtesy of William D. James, MD.
Scabies mite scraped from a burrow (400 X). Courtesy of Audra Malerba, DO.
Scabies. Courtesy of William D. James, MD.
In patients with crusted scabies, sections show multiple mites (arrows) within the hyperkeratotic stratum corneum. The epidermis is spongiotic (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E], 100 X). Courtesy of Audra Malerba, DO.
In patients with routine scabies, a single mite is observed. Eosinophilic spongiosis may be present (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E], 400 X). Courtesy of Audra Malerba, DO.
In patients with scabies, erythematous vesicles and papules are present on torso extremities, some with adjacent linear excoriations. Courtesy of Audra Malerba, DO.
Scabies on hand. Courtesy of William D. James, MD.
Norwegian scabies. Courtesy of William D. James, MD.
Scabies on leg. Courtesy of William D. James, MD.
Scabies on buttocks. Courtesy of William D. James, MD.
Scabies on penis. Courtesy of William D. James, MD.
Scabies on penis. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD.
 
 
 
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