Intended for healthcare professionals

Common problems in the treatment of scabies

Charles M Quartey-Papafio
Scabies is the most pruritic of all skin conditions and affects all ages. It is estimated to affect about 300 million people worldwide at any time. It is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, a parasite that only infests humans. It is very infectious and transmission is by close body contact; it is, therefore, commonly contracted in the family, workplace and institutions, and by sexual contact. Treatment of scabies, if correctly carried out with the effective medications available, is expected to give a 100% cure rate. Scabies is an endemic condition not only because of missed diagnosis but also due to improper treatment. Immunosuppressed patients experience extensive infestation because of the altered host response, and treatment can be difficult.
Dermatology in practice 2003; 11(2): 27–30
To continue reading this article, please sign in or register.

Dermatology in practice was previously supported by Wyeth from 2008 to 2010, by Wyeth and Serono in 2007, by Wyeth and Shire from 2005 to 2006, by Medlock Medical in 2004 and by SSL International from 2001 to 2003.

The data, opinions and statements appearing in the articles herein are those of the contributor(s) concerned; they are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher, Editor or Editorial Board. Accordingly the publisher, Editor and Editorial Board and their respective employees, officers and agents accept no liability for the consequences of any such inaccurate or misleading data, opinion or statement.

The title Dermatology in practice is the property of Hayward Medical Publishing and PMGroup Worldwide Ltd and, together with the content, is bound by copyright. Copyright © 2021 PMGroup Worldwide Ltd. All rights reserved. The information contained on the site may not be reproduced, distributed or published, in whole or in part, in any form without the permission of the publishers. All correspondence should be addressed to:

ISSN 0262-5504 (Print) ISSN 2049-8446 (Online)