Facts, fiction, and figures of the Sarcoptes scabiei infection

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-24-2010

Abstract

Today scabies, an ectoparasitic skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei variety hominis, is estimated to infect over 300 million humans worldwide. Scabies most frequently occurs among children and young adults. Outbreaks in child care facilities and schools are common. Scabies affects all socioeconomic classes and races. Students presenting with a possible outbreak of scabies in the school setting must be referred by the school nurse to a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment because scabies is highly contagious and can be spread by skin contact. This article will provide school nurses with the history, etiology, mode of transmission, symptoms, and the recommended treatment of a S. scabiei infection. Implications for school nursing practice will be discussed. © 2010 The Author(s).

Publication Title

Journal of School Nursing

First Page Number

260

Last Page Number

266

DOI

10.1177/1059840510375413

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS