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Infestations, Bites, and Insect Repellents
Insights
Pediatric arthropod bites and infestations, including head lice and scabies, cause significant distress. This review covers their treatment and prevention in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Public Health Entomology
Background:
- Arthropod infestations and bite reactions are frequent pediatric health concerns.
- Conditions like head lice, scabies, flea bites, and bed bug bites cause pruritus and sleep disturbance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common arthropod infestations and bite reactions in children.
- To outline current approaches to the treatment and prevention of these pediatric conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pediatric arthropod infestations and bite reactions.
- Synthesis of information on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management.
Main Results:
- Common pediatric infestations include head lice and scabies.
- Fleas and bed bugs are frequent causes of bite reactions, sometimes leading to papular urticaria.
- Severe pruritus and sleep disturbance are common symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Effective management and prevention strategies are crucial for pediatric arthropod-related issues.
- Addressing these conditions improves patient and family well-being.
Abstract:
Infestations and arthropod bite reactions in children are common reasons for presentation to pediatric health care providers. Infestations in children include head lice, scabies, and other mites. Fleas and bed bugs are common causes of bite reactions in children, and papular urticaria is a chronic, recurrent eruption resulting from delayed hypersensitivity to a variety of insect bites. Both infestations and bite reactions may result in severe pruritus with associated sleep disturbance and can be a source of significant distress for patients and families. In this review, we discuss infestations and bite reactions affecting pediatric patients, along with the approach to treatment and prevention of these conditions. [Pediatr Ann. 2020;49(3):e124-e131.].
