Scabies is a contagious infectious disease caused by a mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) that is able to live and reproduce only on warm-blooded hosts: humans and animals.
It can affect people from all walks of life, regardless of personal hygiene and does not distinguish by age or sex, is endemic in many developed countries and, contrary to what many people think, is more common in winter (lower temperatures and humidity actually prolong the mite’s survival away from the host).
In the ‘last decade in Italy and in our area, there has been a gradual increase in the number of cases, thanks in part to the increased attention of physicians, which makes it possible to identify cases that would once have gone unnoticed.
Any case or suspicion of scabies should be reported promptly (according to the indications of the Ministerial Decree of December 15, 1990, the report by the physician must be made within 24 hours, through the Health Department, to the ASP of belonging) and provides for the activation of specific prophylaxis and the adoption of precautionary anti-contragious measures (isolation of the index case, use of specific PPE, administration of treatments and medications, etc.).
Increasingly, however, outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes are caused by cases of scabies that are not diagnosed early. This is either because of the similarity to other itchy skin diseases or because the incubation period from contamination to the onset of symptoms, which normally ranges from 2 to 6 weeks, can be significantly longer in the elderly and lead to misdiagnosis.
For effective prevention and downsizing, we recommend the adoption of a METHOD we call “INCOMING,” which should be a standard in all communities.
Whenever a new resident or patient is welcomed, it is advisable for the first week to provide hygiene with a specific preventive product.
We refer in particular to BIODERM®S recommended for whole-body hygiene in all cases of anti-mite prevention, as it contains Colloidal Sulfur, which has a marked anti-parasitic action.
The use of sulfur cleansers is also safe for pregnant women and children, but they tend to dehydrate the skin, so we recommend using a moisturizing emulsion after each wash, such as BIODERM®total gen, based on Melaleuca Oil and Red Thyme Extract, which also provide marked antifungal and antibacterial activity.
For more information on BIODERM’s INBOUND METHODICS call us at 02.356.44.26 or write to vendite@farmoderm.it