scabies
by catherine alderstein·
exclusion period
exclude until the day after appropriate treatment has commenced
symptoms
- •intense itching, especially at night
- •small red bumps or blisters
- •thin grey lines (burrows) on the skin, often between fingers, on wrists, or in skin folds
- •rash may be widespread in young children
when can your child return to childcare?
the child can return the day after the first treatment is applied.
do siblings or contacts need to stay home?
close household contacts should be treated at the same time, even without symptoms
treatment notes for parents
see a GP or pharmacist for a permethrin cream (applied to the whole body from the neck down and washed off after 8–12 hours). all household members and close contacts should be treated simultaneously. wash bed linen and towels in hot water.
view all exclusion periods
the complete illness-by-illness guide
this guide is for informational purposes only. exclusion periods are based on the NHMRC's Staying Healthy guidelines and were accurate at the time of writing. always consult your child's GP or childcare centre for specific advice. mini mode is not a medical service.