Anumber of causes can make a child itch, ranging from allergies to parasite infestation. Severe itchiness can be painful and distressing, so it is always advisable to consult the child's doctor immediately to determine the underlying condition. Itchiness will require medical help if it remains persistent and infected or if the skin gets broken and inflamed.
The cause of the itch will need to be determined in order to remove or treat it. It can stem from skin conditions such as eczema or chickenpox, insect bites or parasitic infections like scabies. These will result in the skin becoming red, itchy and inflamed.
Common conditions
Scabies
Scabies is caused by infestation of the skin by parasitic mites and is extremely contagious. It has nothing to do with a lack of hygiene.
Symptoms: Check for thin, grey lines (the mites' burrow) on the child's finger webs, armpits, wrists, buttocks, soles or palms, intense itchiness, especially at night, and inflamed lumps on the body.
Treatment: If symptoms are present take the child to a doctor within 24 hours, as it will not clear up without medical treatment. The doctor will probably prescribe a lotion or cream such as malathion or pernethrin, which kills scabies mites. Other household members will also need to be examined and treated to ensure the mites do not linger elsewhere.
Atopic eczema
This is an extremely common problem in young infants and children. An itchy rash will usually appear before the child is 18 months old and may reappear over a number of years.
Symptoms: Children of all ages can suffer from itchy, inflamed skin that may become slightly weepy. Areas most affected tend to be the scalp, cheeks, forearms, front of the legs and trunk. In babies it tends to be more focused on the scalp and cheeks, but anywhere can be affected.
Treatment: If the child has not been exposed to this rash before, take him/her to a doctor if it becomes severe. Otherwise, use creams or ointments already prescribed by the doctor. Also try to prevent the child's skin from becoming too dry by using bland moisturisers, and keep the child away from anyone with cold sores.
Wearing cotton clothing rather than synthetics will also help to reduce the itchiness. Remember that even after successful treatment the child may continue to feel itchy after a few weeks.
Head lice
Head lice infestations are increasingly common in infants and children, especially those who have frequently washed hair.
Symptoms: Itching of the scalp and back of the neck. The adult lice which can be seen are a reddish brown, and are often found at the back of the neck and behind the ears; they can move very fast. They lay eggs (nits), which are whitish and firmly attached to the hair shafts.
Treatment: Wash the hair and put lots of conditioner on it, combing it out afterwards with a fine-toothed 'nit comb' from the pharmacist. Conditioner allows the lice to slide off easily, and this process should be repeated every four days for two weeks. Daily combing can also effectively break the life cycle of the louse.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the scalp or the skin of the face or body. Children can catch it from other people or from soil or animals. It can also be caught from household items like carpets or clothing.
Symptoms: Itchiness and flaky patches on body or face with raised inflamed borders. Flakes resembling severe dandruff may also appear and the child might experience hair loss.
Treatment: If you suspect ringworm take the child to the doctor immediately, who may recommend an anti-fungal lotion or cream.
Relieving itchiness
If the child continues to scratch the affected area, an infection may develop. To soothe the itch and discourage the child from scratching, try some of the following tips:
* Use non-irritating substances such as water-based (aqueous) cream or special bath oils when washing the child.
* Invest in effective herbal creams, ointments or gels such as aloe vera, chamomile and calendula. These can be extremely effective on dry, itchy skin. Oozing lesions are best dealt with through lotions and liquids.
* With dry, itchy skin, moisturise the skin several times a day with a water-based cream.
* Clothe the child in natural fibres (excluding wool), not synthetics. NW Researched and written by Marcella McEvoy
Further advice
* There are also other itchy conditions that may cause a rash that are not included in this feature, such as threadworm and chickenpox.
If in doubt, consult with the child's local doctor or visit the NHS Direct website for advice: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
