PARENT ALERT
Contagious disease exposure in room ______________ on ______________.
SCABIES (Sarcoptic Itch, Acariasis)
WHAT IS IT? An infestation of the skin by small insects called mites
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS & SYPTOMS?
- Rash, severe itching (increased at night).
- Itchy red bumps or blisters found on skinfolds between the fingers, toes, wrists, elbows, armpits, waistline, thighs, genital areas, abdomen, and lower buttocks.
- Children younger than 2 years are likely to be infested on the head, neck, palms, and soles of feet or in a diffuse distribution over the body.
HOW CAN YOU CATCH IT? Prolonged and close person-to-person contact.
WHEN CAN YOU CATCH IT?
- Incubation period
- 4 to 6 weeks for those who have never been infected
- 1 to 4 days for those who have been previously infected (Repeated exposures tend to be milder but produce symptoms earlier after exposure.)
- Contagious period: Until the insect infestation is treated
WHAT ARE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS? Usually none. Sometimes skin irritation from chemicals or over-treatment.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
- Consult with a medical professional for medication
- Report the infection to the staff member designated by the childcare program/preschool for decision-making and action related to care of ill children.
- Treatment of the affected child and family by a health professional, usually with a cream containing 5% permethrin. Use the medicine exactly as ordered.
- Family members and very close contacts should be treated at the same time as the child, even if no signs or symptoms are present.
- Launder bedding and clothing (hot water and hot drying cycle) worn next to skin during the 3 days before start of treatment.
- Items that cannot be laundered should be placed in plastic bags for at least 4 days. Scabies mites cannot survive away from humans for more than 4 days.
- Wash hands well after care of child.
WHAT WILL THE STAFF DO?
- Alerts possibly exposed family and staff members to watch for symptoms.
- Send home all articles of clothing used by the child.
- Launder bedding and clothing (hot water and hot drying cycle) worn next to skin during the 3 days before start of treatment.
- Items that cannot be laundered should be placed in plastic bags for at least 4 days. Scabies mites cannot survive away from humans for more than 4 days.
- Practice careful hand washing.
- Contact the child's health professional if itching continues for several weeks after treatment. This could represent a reinfestation.
EXCLUDE FROM GROUP SETTING?
- Yes, until treatment is completed (usually overnight).
WHEN CAN THE CHILD RETURN TO CLASS?
- When the treatment is completed (usually overnight) or until treatment course as prescribed has been completed.
- If treatment is started before the next day, no exclusion is necessary.
- If you have any questions, please contact your childcare provider and healthcare provider.
Adapted from Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools: A Quick Reference Guide 4th ed. 2022