Scabies is a contagious skin disease that spreads from person to person through close contact. In recent years, the incidence of scabies has been on the rise, attributed to improper treatment and resistance of the scabies parasite to medications. Treating scabies is not an individual endeavor; it should involve the entire family. Additionally, ensuring the cleanliness of clothing, home textiles, and household items is crucial. Dr. Gürkan Yardimci, a specialist from Memorial Şişli Hospital's Dermatology Department, provided information about scabies.
Scabies is caused by a tiny parasite called Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. It's an itchy and contagious skin disease. It takes just 15-20 minutes of contact for the parasite to transmit from one person to another. Scabies can affect people of all ages and both genders, irrespective of socioeconomic status. It spreads more rapidly in crowded settings where close contact is frequent, such as schools, nursing homes, and student dormitories. Common modes of transmission include close skin contact, sharing beds, holding hands, and sharing towels and clothing.
Itching on the soles of the feet and scalp is intense in babies and children After infection, there's an incubation period of 4 to 6 weeks when the person may not show any symptoms, but the parasite resides on the skin. Severe itching, especially at night and in warm conditions, becomes the most prominent symptom after this incubation period. Tunnels containing the parasite, its eggs, and feces are often visible on the fingers, palms, and wrists. In men, intense itching is common in the genital area, armpits, waist, and hips, while in women, it's often experienced in the breast area, navel, armpits, and hips. Infants and children frequently exhibit itching and tunnels on the soles of their feet and scalp.
Diagnosing scabies typically relies on clinical findings, and confirmation can be made by observing tunnels during dermoscopic examination. Medications can be administered orally or applied topically to the skin. The choice of treatment depends on factors such as the patient's age, presence of other medical conditions, and weight if systemic treatment is considered. Treatment should never be confined to one person; everyone living in the same environment, regardless of whether they are experiencing itching, should be treated.
Even after treatment, itching may persist for an average of 4-8 weeks. Medication alone is insufficient; maintaining the hygiene of clothing, home textiles, and household items is also essential.
To prevent scabies:
► Wash textile products like sheets, pillowcases, clothes, and underwear at temperatures of 60°C or higher and iron them at a high setting.
► Items that cannot be cleaned this way should be kept in a sealed bag for around 7-10 days and then washed and ironed.
► Frequently touched items like sofas, chairs, and door handles that can't be washed should be regularly wiped with vinegar water.
The incidence of scabies has significantly increased in recent years due to various factors such as improper application of recommended treatments, crowding in enclosed areas (especially during pandemic restrictions), and the development of drug resistance by the parasite.
Pets do not need special treatment, as scabies is not transmitted from pets to humans. To prevent the disease, individuals diagnosed with scabies, those in contact with individuals in the incubation period, and those complaining of itching should avoid contact, and shared items should not be used.
