Scabies

Abstract

Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by a mite. It causes significant global morbidity, with an estimated 300 million cases annually. Although it can affect individuals at any socioeconomic level, individuals who live in poverty or in overcrowded conditions are at much higher risk for scabies. Lack of local expertise can result in failure to recognize scabies, leading to delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment of cases and contacts. Scabies disproportionately affects many Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) communities where risk factors are present. Scabies risk is also higher in young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Institutional outbreaks of scabies have also been reported. Apart from a very itchy rash, scabies can lead to secondary bacterial infections and related complications, as well as to stigmatization, depression, insomnia and significant financial costs. Topical antiscabies lotions are still the mainstay of treatment, but oral ivermectin has also proven effective under certain circumstances. Asymptomatic and symptomatic household members should all be treated at the same time. In Canada and globally, the presence of scabies is usually a symptom of poor living conditions and a sign that basic necessities need improvement. Clinicians who work with Indigenous communities can improve their ability to diagnose and treat scabies, and should advocate for better living conditions where scabies is prevalent.

Parasite–bacteria interrelationship

“…It affects an estimated 300 million cases annually. Scabies is usually presented by generalized pruritus that is typically worse at night, erythematous papules, and burrows located between the fingers, wrists, elbows or axillae, or on the genitalia or breasts (Hengge et al 2006;Banerji 2015). Secondary bacterial infections frequently supervene due to intense itching and scratching and are manifested as impetigo or pyoderma.…”

Efforts to Prevent Variations of Skin Diseases in Islamic Boarding Schools through Personal Hygiene and Sanitation Education

“…Adult mites can live outside the host body for 3-5 days while eggs can last up to 10 days outside the host body. 5 Scabies lesions are tunnels containing mites, eggs and metabolic products.…”

“…These mites can live 3-5 days outside the human and animal bodies as their host, while the scabies mite eggs can live up to 10 days on objects before finally hatching on human skin. 5 The habit of frequently exchanging personal belongings and densely populated living areas are potential conditions for the transmission of scabies mites and eggs. In pesantren with these conditions and habits, of course, the prevalence of scabies is quite high.…”

Lessons from the Interagency Emergency Health Kit for access to essential medicines in Canada

“…Of the others, benzyl benzoate lotion is used to treat lice and scabies. The Canadian Pediatric Society notes benzyl benzoate offers high efficacy at a low cost and is widely used outside North America; in Canada, the go-to treatment is permethrin, which is similarly effective, but costs more (Banerji 2015). Similarly, Canadians have options other than tetracycline eye ointment to treat eye infections.…”