Diagnosis is a clinical one
MANAGEMENT
- All close contacts should be treated at the same time.
- Change bed linen, clothes and clean in a hot wash.
- Do not treat children less than 1 month of age.
TREATMENT
- Permethrin 5% cream (not recommended for pregnant contacts).
- Apply to whole body from the neck down and wash off after 8-14 hours. Include scalp in infants.
- Malathion 0.5% aqueous lotion.(wash after 12 hours).
- Antihistamines (chlorphenamine) to reduce itching.
- Emollients for itching post treatment
- Antibiotics ( Flucloxacillin), if secondary infection.