Aetiology: skin infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei mite spread by close physical contact between people. Not acquired from animals.

Demographics

• school-aged children
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• closed communities such as residential aged care facilities

Clinical Features:

• rash, itch, burrows, nodules
• Adults do not get above the neckline
• Babies can

Investigations

• Diagnosis is usually clinical
• confirmation can be made by microscopy of scrapings from a burrow.
  • If the mite is not detected on microscopy, the most practical diagnostic test is response to treatment.

Management

• assess and treat secondary infections (impetigo etc)
• non pharm
  • Wash patient’s and close contacts’ clothes, towels and bedding (hot cycle 60℃), and/or subject them to heat from an iron or a hot clothes dryer. Alternatively, they can be stored in a sealed plastic bag for 8 days
  • If possible, place mattresses, pillows and blankets in the sun, and thoroughly vacuum the house and soft furnishings such as lounges. There should be no body contact for 3 days for items that cannot be washed or put in the sun.
  • notify school → return after 2x treatment, 1 week apart