The Washington times., 1920-11-05

The Growing Child
Parasitic Skin Diseases
KEEP HIM WE'LL
U. g. Public Health Service
Parasitic Skin Diseas
U. 8. Public Health Service.

tnefe are certaiu easily commuui-
oatsd skin affections frequently =
found among school children which
because OF their specially annoying
and disasrseabie features should
be carefully guarded against. These
are scabies (itch), ringworm, and
pediculosis capitas (head lice).
Scabies. or itch. 10 due TO a minute
animal parasite. which burrows
into the skin and causes intense
itching. The consequent scratching
results In the Characteristic erup-
tion. which 10 found chiefly between
the hngers. on the. front OF the
wrists. NJ the bend of the elbow,
and on the marginal folds Of the
II . child IL seen to be scratching.
particularly II there II a pustular
eruption on the hands. he should
be at once examined for Itch. The
disease IL communicated by contact
with the child affected or with any.
thing he has used. Hence II can be
readily seen how easily itch can
spread In . school or family, un-
less every possible precaution 10
taken.
The child should be excluded
from school until the disease 10
cured, which need not be long. II
proper measures are employed In
the home. 1t Ia likely that other
members OF the family will be af-
fected and everyone having the
disease must be treated until cured,
and the under cloehing, bedding,
towels. and anything which has
come in contract with the body Of
each case must be boiled or baked
each time they are washed. Unless
these precautions are taken. q con-
slant re-infection will be taking
place and the infection will continue
indefinitely.
RIx0wORM.
Ringworm Is also n parasitic dis
ease, easily spread where many
children are gathered together. It
begins as q red. scaly patch, which
becomes more or less circular. clear
ing up In the center as 1t spreads
at the margin. When the disease
occurs on the skin Il IL much more
amenable to treatment than when II
attacks the scalp. In the latter To-
cation. ringworm ID a repulsive, OBJ
stinate disease, which causes the
hair to become brittle and break on.
leaving partially bald. scaly spots
on the head.
Though its treatment by x-ray
in the hands of an expert promises
hope Of q cure in a short time this
method In unavailable to the great
majority Of children. In whom the
disease may run a tedious course OF
six months or q year. Hence. every
mother Will be particularly anxious
that her child should be protected
from this disease.
Children with ringworm should
not be allowed to mingle with other
children unless the lesions are
properly dressed and covered. In
ringworm OF the scalp, the patient
should wear q cap for the protec-
tion OF others. and should avoid
brushing the hair because of the
danger of scattering the scales.
HEAD LICE.
Pediculosis capitas Is the condi-
ton brought about by the invasion
Of the scalp by the head louise. 1t
causes severe itching, resultant
scratching, abrasions and innam-
nation Of the scalp. The glands in
the neck behind the ear may become
enlarged, especially when the
scratch marks become infected and
contain matter" (pus).
When q child 10 seen scratching
the head, the presence Of head lice
may be suspected, and the discovery