How to Prepare for a Telemedicine Visit About Itching (Pruritus) in Children

Audience: pediatric

Itching, or pruritus, is a common symptom in children that can be caused by many factors such as allergies, dry skin, infections, or insect bites. A telemedicine visit can be a convenient way to discuss your child's itching with a healthcare provider, especially when the symptoms are mild or new. During the visit, you can share details about the itching, show affected areas via video, and get advice on treatment or next steps. However, some situations require in-person care, such as severe itching with rash, signs of infection, or if your child is very young or has other health problems. Preparing for your telemedicine visit by gathering information about your child's symptoms and environment can help the healthcare provider give the best advice. Remember, telemedicine is a helpful tool but does not replace emergency or urgent in-person care when needed.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Child has difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, or severe allergic reaction signs — seek emergency care immediately.
• Presence of fever with itching and rash, or signs of infection like pus or increasing redness — get in-person medical evaluation promptly.
• Child is very young (infants) or has other serious health conditions and develops itching with rash or other symptoms — arrange urgent in-person care.

What telemedicine can do

• Mild to moderate itching without severe rash or systemic symptoms
• New onset itching with visible skin changes that can be shown on video
• Guidance on skin care, moisturizing, and over-the-counter treatments
• Follow-up for ongoing mild itching after initial evaluation

What telemedicine cannot do

• Severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis
• Signs of skin infection requiring physical examination or procedures
• Severe or rapidly spreading rash with systemic symptoms
• Infants or children with complex medical conditions needing urgent assessment

What Is Itching (Pruritus) in Children?

Itching is an uncomfortable feeling that makes your child want to scratch their skin. It can be caused by many things, including dry skin, allergies, insect bites, or infections. Sometimes itching happens without a clear cause. Understanding what might be causing the itching helps guide treatment.

When to Use Telemedicine for Your Child's Itching

Telemedicine can be useful if your child's itching is mild, has started recently, and there are no signs of serious illness. You can show the affected skin areas using video and describe the symptoms. This allows the healthcare provider to give advice on home care or whether your child needs to be seen in person.

When to Seek In-Person Care

If your child has severe itching with a widespread rash, swelling, difficulty breathing, signs of infection (such as pus or fever), or if they are very young or have other health conditions, you should seek in-person medical care promptly. These situations may require urgent treatment that cannot be done through telemedicine.

How to Prepare for the Telemedicine Visit

Before the visit, gather information such as when the itching started, any new soaps or foods, recent insect bites, and if your child has other symptoms like fever or rash. Have good lighting to show the skin clearly on video. Write down any questions you want to ask the healthcare provider.

What to Expect During and After the Visit

During the visit, the provider will ask about your child's symptoms and may ask to see the skin through the camera. They will suggest treatments, such as moisturizers or medications, and advise if an in-person visit is needed. After the visit, follow the care instructions and watch for any worsening symptoms.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Note when the itching started and any changes over time.
• List any new products, foods, or exposures your child had recently.
• Prepare to show the affected skin areas with good lighting on camera.
• Write down any other symptoms your child has, like fever or swelling.
• Have your child's medical history and current medications available.
• Prepare questions you want to ask the healthcare provider.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the treatment plan and medication instructions given by the provider.
• Keep the skin moisturized and avoid known irritants or allergens.
• Monitor your child for any worsening symptoms or new signs of infection.
• Schedule an in-person visit if advised or if symptoms do not improve.
• Seek emergency care if your child develops difficulty breathing, swelling, or severe allergic reactions.

FAQs

Can telemedicine diagnose the cause of my child's itching?

Telemedicine providers can often identify common causes of itching by discussing symptoms and viewing the skin via video. However, some conditions may require in-person examination or tests for a definitive diagnosis.

What should I do if my child is scratching so much they have open sores?

Open sores can increase the risk of infection. During the telemedicine visit, show the affected areas clearly. The provider may recommend treatments to reduce itching and prevent infection or advise an in-person visit if needed.

Is it safe to use over-the-counter creams for my child's itching?

Many over-the-counter creams like moisturizers or mild hydrocortisone may be safe for children, but it's important to get advice from a healthcare provider, especially for young children or if the skin is broken.

How can I help prevent my child's itching from getting worse?

Keep your child's skin clean and moisturized, avoid known irritants, dress them in soft, breathable fabrics, and keep their nails trimmed to reduce skin damage from scratching.

When should I seek emergency care for my child's itching?

Seek emergency care if your child has difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, severe allergic reactions, or if they become very ill with fever and widespread rash.

Sources

1. Itching (Pruritus) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Pruritus in Children: Causes and Treatment — American Academy of Pediatrics.
3. Managing Skin Conditions via Telemedicine — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Skin Rash and Itching — Mayo Clinic.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional in-person medical care. If your child's symptoms are severe, worsening, or you have any concerns, seek immediate in-person medical attention.