Scabbia, what is the infectious disease for which 80 elderly people hospitalized in Settimo Torinese are in quarantine

There are diseases that we thought now disappeared and that instead return. This is the case of scabiesof which a outbreak was recently discovered at the hospital of Settimo Torinese: everything would have started from a social and health operator, called “patient zero”, who would have in turn infected one or more degents elderly. By precaution, the entire Cavs department, on the first floor of the structure in via Santa Cristina – where about eighty patients are hospitalized – was placed in “quarantine”. “We immediately activated ourselves for the prophylaxis of all staff and patients”said Giuseppe Gulino, health director of the hospital, as reported Printing“And we arranged the complete sanitization of the environments, so as to reduce any risk of further contagions to a minimum”.
But what exactly is scabies, a disease that seemed to belong to past eras and that is still present?

“We can consider the scabies one return disease“, explains Giovanni di Perri, Director from the Infectious diseases clinic of the University of Turin. «After the Second World War he had almost disappeared, thanks to the improved hygienic conditions. But today, with the increase in travel and migratory flows, cases have increased. Scabbia is an ancient disease that continues to re -emerge ».

Scabbia: what it is

Dermatitis, Eczema, Allergy, Psoriasis Concept. Annoyed Middle-Aged Man in White T-shirt scratching itch on his arms, Gray Studio Background. Bearded Man Itching Rash on his Elbow, Copy SpaceProstock-Studio

There scabies It is a skin disease caused by a tiny parasitethe mite Sarcoptes Scabiei. It is not seen with the naked eye, but it digs small tunnels in the skin that cause a very strong itchespecially at night.

«It is, to be precise, a ectoparassite», Specifies Di Perri,” that is, of an organism capable of survive even outside the skin environmentboth of man and animals, but only for a limited period, that is, in general 2–3 days». Continue: «To feed, the mite penetrates the most superficial layer of the skin and Tiny galleries digswithin which lays the eggs. Without treatment, the inifestation can persist for a long timeeven decades, because the life cycle of mites continues to repeat themselves ».

The numbers in Italy and in the world

Scabbia is today a global health problem: theWHO estimates that the annual number of cases of exceeds 400 million of people every year. In Italy, The evidence available indicate a generalized alarm In different regions, with a dramatic and sudden increase in numbers after Pandemia: the phenomenon was described by Sidemat (Italian Society of Dermatology and sexually transmitted diseases) as aemerging threat of public healthparticularly in Shared structures and crowded communities.

The scabies has always been linked to the idea of ​​poverty: “It was once called mange and was considered a sign of misery: more or less it remained associated with one social stigma». However, it is not a phenomenon that affects only those who have poor hygiene: “We have also seen cases in couples returned from holidays abroad, probably after having slept on non -sanctioned sheets. Scabbia can hit anyone, “he underlines Perri.
The transmission takes place «especially in community: dormitories, prisons, RSA, campsites. It is not one guilt Individual: it is a contagious disease that takes advantage of the crowded environments ».

What are the main symptoms?

.

.

Eyeem Mobile GmbH

The intense itchingespecially at night. The lesions, visible as grayish or reddish lines that lead to scratching a lot, are often found among the fingers of mani, in skin folds (armpits, elbows, genitals, groin, buttocks), in the Mammaria Aureola area and of the periomelical region. In the small children And in the elderly The affected areas can also be the palms of the hands and plants of the feet, The scalp and the spaces Behind the ears.

How do you care?

Scabbia takes care of mainly with topical treatmentssuch as creams or lotions, which kill mites and their eggs. In some cases, oral treatment may be necessary. «Today above all the permethrinto be applied on the skin of the whole body, from the neck down, and removes after 8-14 hours. Another treatment is theivemectinwhich is assumed by mouth. In a few days the situation improves, even if the skin traces can remain a little longer ».

It is essential that the treatment comes extended to all people who live in the same house, Even if they do not present symptoms, it is also absolutely necessary Wash and disinfect clothes and sheets: «Clothes, sheets and towels must be washed in the washing machine at least 60 degreesif it is not possible to close them in a sack for 5-7 days: the mite, without skin to be infested, dies of hunger. Washing and treating the linen is the condition for avoiding reinfections », concludes Di Perri.

Source: Vanity Fair

You may also like