| [ Summary ] |
Human scabies, Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, produce a contagious disease caused by small insects. They are transmitted via skin contact, and the most frequent symptom is itching. Reports of the mass spread of human scabies have been increasing among elderly inpatients, elderly nursing home residents and the personnel who take care of them. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, the prevalence of scabies is thought to be potentially high, along with the increase in elderly patients requiring diabetic nephropathy. In addition, hemodialysis treatment itself has the following risks ; (1) multiple patients are frequently treated in the same units, (2) delays in diagnosis because of complaints of itching, which the majority of HD patients have. We hereby report on our management when experiencing scabies in inpatients. First, we consulted dermatologists for conclusive diagnosis. Secondly, we informed all the patients and employees at our hospital of the occurrence of scabies. Then we started to treat patients. We wiped the whole body of all inpatients, except their heads and necks, with benzylethanol, flowed by a complete change of their clothing and linens, room by room. For outpatients, packages of benzylethanol were given, and outpatients treated themselves. No treatment was given for hospital employees or patients' families, since they take showers and change their clothes everyday. Hence, we successfully eliminated scabies from our hospital. The management of scabies was considered to be done thoroughly, and quickly. |