In recent years, Italy has seen a concerning increase in instances of scabies, a skin illness caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. According to the Italian Society of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (SIDeMaST), cases in some regions of the country, such as Lazio, increased by up to 750% between 2020 and 2023. A similar rise was recorded in Bologna, according to a research published in Sexually Transmitted Infections. Scabies, which has never been eradicated internationally, is once again posing a serious threat to public health. Outbreaks have multiplied in high-density settings including nursing homes, schools, and hospitals. According to a study published in the journal Infectious Diseases of Poverty, one of the causes of the spike is increasing resistance to standard pharmacological treatments, particularly permethrin. The disease spreads by direct contact with infected persons or contaminated materials like linen and towels. The major symptom is extreme itching, particularly at night, which is frequently accompanied by tiny skin lesions on the fingers, wrists, navel, and genitals. When the initial symptoms appear, it is critical to consult a doctor and begin therapy as soon as possible, including close contacts who are asymptomatic. Contagion is particularly prevalent among certain vulnerable demographics, including children and adolescents who are frequently present in crowded environments, elderly individuals residing in nursing homes, migrants from countries where the disease is endemic, and homeless individuals residing in precarious hygienic-sanitary conditions. Prevention also relies on hygiene: washing clothes and linens at high temperatures and adopting careful behavior is essential to limit parasite spread.
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