A 20-month-old toddler has been treated with permethrin for scabies. the toddler's mother asks, "is this medication working? my child is still itching." which response, by a nurse, is most appropriate?

Scabies is a contagious skin infestation and it is caused by parasitic mites hiding under your skin. The most common symptom of scabies is the presence of very itchy rashes in different parts of the body.

Permethrin is a cream commonly used to kill mites and their eggs. This cream, along with other available medications, kills the mites quite quickly. However, there are cases where the mites are killed but the itching is still there.

The nurse should explain to the mother that if the toddler does not have any new rashes, then the medication did work. Unfortunately, the itching can continue up to two weeks after the application of the cream and the successful eradication of the mites. If the itching continues more than two weeks, then she should visit a doctor.