Is this fair?

[SevenwatersDaughter]

Headed to the walk-in today because a new little boy I look after was diagnosed with scabies. I've been itching all over -- might be in my head or might be because of him.

The mom said she has treated him now (that was about three days ago -- on Friday, and I only have him Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Everything I've read about scabies says that every person in the household of the affected person should be treated, especially if they have lots of bodily contact. She told me she bathes her kids together and they all sleep together, but she only treated her son.

If I do have scabies, I will be pissed. I realize that it's part and parcel of running a day care, but it's a real pain in the butt, and I'm pregnant, so I don't fancy slathering myself in chemicals, but I'll do what I have to do. Then I'll have to treat hubby and DD, and take some time do disinfect our house.

Is it fair of me to tell her I don't want him to come back to my day care until ALL members of her family have been treated?

Also, I still plan on charging her for this morning's closure (and however long I have to be charged if I do have scabies). Normally I don't charge when I need to shut down for whatever reason, but because I may have caught it from her son, I will still charge her.

Is my annoyance clouding me, or does this seem fair? Please don't be mean. Just looking for advice.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I would talk to your doctor and if it's true that all members need to be treated than yes I think it's fair that you request this of her.

However, I dont think it's fair to charge her if you do have it and need to close. Do you charge every patient A when illnesses go around and you catch it? I don't, which is why I don't think it's fair.....even though it would be really nice too sometimes!

Hopefully you don't have it!

[bright sparks]

OMG! You poor thing. I feel your pain. I have severely sensitive skin. I'm dealing with something right now since coming off my progesterone pills which has me with welts seemingly from the slightest of physical contact and I am a manic itcher, it's crazy and drives me nuts. I can't imagine being pregnant too ARGHHH!

I think it is fair to insist that the whole family be treated before allowing him back into care and she would have to pay for that time. I would just be afraid that she'd say she did even if she didn't and there is no way of knowing for sure she did.

I'd be pissed off too but unfortunately as 5LM said it's part of the job and you can't expect pay because you caught something off a child. You shouldn't need to close down though. Treat the scabies in the evening for your whole family and strip your beds at night and sanitize wash them and as for your playroom, it doesn't need disinfecting because the scabies insects can not live on hard surfaces and even fabric they can not survive off the human body beyond 2 days.

[babydom]

I agree with the above. It's like lice. All members need to be check and or treated. I also to wouldn't charge if you had to close.

[AmandaKDT]

You are licensed right? Pretty sure you wouldn't be allowed to charge her if your daycare is closed. Only paid days off are STAT holidays. It is no different than catching the flu from a daycare child.

But scabbies totally gross me out, just like lice. I feel really bad for you.

But you should talk to your doctor and to your daycare coordinator about how to proceed.

[Fun&care]

As much as it sucks, and as much as I would be pissed too if I were in your shoes, I don't think its fair to charge UNLESS you have it in your contract that you take paid sick days or vacation days. I am not sure than you can ask them to treat the whole family either...I think it's kinda crossing the line. Focus on DCB and whether or not he is fit to attend daycare but there isn't much you can do beyond that. I would send out an email to the rest of your clients letting them know so that if their child experiences symptoms they can be kept home and treated as soon as possible to keep it from spreading further.