Dr Phil Kieran: My teenager got scabies on a camping trip

It is important to let your son know that he won’t be left with this rash forever, and the itch will pass

Unfortunately, the itch can take four to six weeks to settle, but in the meantime you can use antihistamines and plain moisturisers to help relieve it. Picture: iStock

My 15-year-old son picked up scabies while on a school camping trip. I’ve applied all the lotions and disinfected his clothes and bedding. But it hasn’t cleared up. The itching is as intense as ever. He’s usually an outgoing boy, but the rash is making him very self-conscious. Is there anything else I can do?

Scabies is one of those words that makes people itch just to hear it. Any family going through scabies eradication has my deepest sympathy. For your own son, the good news is that the treatment — if done correctly — was probably effective, and the itch will go away.