Fact Sheet For Scabies by Kadijah Quisol

What is Scabies

kquisol — 2024-03-15 17:41:08 UTC

Scabies is a parasitic infestation caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin and lay eggs, causing intense itching and a rash.

It is very contagious with skin to skin contact.

Scabies is one of the most common dermatological conditions, accounting for a substantial proportion of skin disease in developing countries. Globally, it is estimated to affect more than 200 million people at any time and more than 400 million people cumulatively every year.

Pathophysiology of Scabies

kquisol — 2024-03-15 17:43:09 UTC

Scabies mites burrow into the top layer of skin, where the adult female lays eggs. The eggs hatch in 3–4 days and develop into adult mites in 1–2 weeks. After 4–6 weeks the patient develops an allergic reaction to the presence of mite proteins and faeces in the scabies burrow, causing intense itch and rash.

Epidemeology

kquisol — 2024-03-15 17:49:51 UTC

Globally, it is estimated to affect more than 200 million people at any time and more than 400 million people cumulatively every year.

Prevalence among children in these settings may vary from 5% up to 50%. Recurrent infestations are common.

Several studies have shown that outbreaks of scabies are a major risk factor for kidney disease in the form of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. A growing body of evidence also implicates impetigo caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

Available Treatments

kquisol — 2024-03-15 17:59:29 UTC

Topical treatments that are applied to the whole body include:

5% permethrin cream
0.5% malathion in aqueous base
10–25% benzyl benzoate emulsion
5–10% sulphur ointment.

Ivermectin taken orally is also highly effective

A combination of permethrin and ivermectin is used to treat otherwise intractable cases and is generally indicated for the treatment of crusted scabies (Sunderkotter, 2021).

Global Health Partnerships

kquisol — 2024-03-15 18:05:08 UTC

WHO: Provides guidance on scabies management and supports research on prevention and treatment strategies.
The International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS): A global network of researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals dedicated to controlling scabies and its complications.
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs): Organizations such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provide medical care and community education on scabies prevention and treatment in endemic areas.

References

kquisol — 2024-03-15 18:08:24 UTC

Sunderkötter, C., Wohlrab, J., & Hamm, H. (2021). Scabies: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 118(41), 695–704. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0296

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Scabies. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/scabies#:~:text=Scabies%20mites%20burrow%20into%20the,causing%20intense%20itch%20and%20rash.

Key Facts

kquisol — 2024-03-15 18:16:32 UTC

Human scabies is a parasitic infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis
At least 200 million people worldwide suffer from scabies at any one time
An estimated 5–50% of children in resource-poor areas are affected by scabies.
Scabies occurs worldwide but is most common in hot, tropical countries and in areas of high population density.