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Scabies
Scabies

Scabies

Introduction

Scabies is an intensely pruritic and highly contagious infestation of the skin caused by mite Sarcoptes scabies.

Signs & symptoms

• Itchy vesicles and papules
• Short elevated serpiginous (S shaped track in the superficial epidermis (burrow)
• “Norwegian” scabies presents with extensive crusting (psoriasis form-like lesions) of the skin with thick, hyperkeratotic scales overlying the elbows, knees, palms, and soles

Diagnostic criteria

• Itchy vesicles and papules
• Short elevated serpiginous (S shaped track in the superficial epidermis (burrow)
• “Norwegian” scabies presents with extensive crusting (psoriasis form-like lesions) of the skin with thick, hyperkeratotic scales overlying the elbows, knees, palms, and soles

Investigation

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Treatment

  • Non-Pharmacological treatment

    • Treat all members of the household at the same time to prevent reinfection, regardless of presence or absence of itching
    • Advise patients to bath and dress in clean clothing, and changing bed linen at the same time of treatment
  • Pharmacological

    Benzyl Benzoate Emulsion, BBE (25%, 12.5% and 6.25%)

    Adults and children over 2 years: Apply with fingers, from neck down to cover the whole body surface, while paying particular attention to all skin folds. Leave emulsion in place for 24 hours. Repeat the application after 3 days.

    Children aged 2 months to 2 years: Use same treatment as above, but leave the emulsion for 6–8 hours.

    Babies under 2 months:

    Sulphur ointment 5%: Apply daily for 3 days

    OR

    Lindane lotion (1%) to be applied as BBE above

Prevention

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Updated on,

3 Novemba 2020 11:23:15

References

    1.STG
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