Turkish Society of Ophthalmology announced that there has been an increase in cases of scabies, which is a skin disease, in the last few months, and if it is not treated immediately, it is possible to turn it into Norwegian Scabies (scab scabies), which is effective around the eyes and head.
Head of Ocular Infections Unit of Turkish Ophthalmology Association Prof. Dr. Halit Oğuz, stating that there is an increase in cases of scabies, gave important warnings to citizens about the measures they should take.
The Turkish Ophthalmology Association, the representative of ophthalmologists in Turkey, drew attention to the increase in cases of scabies, a skin disease, and made important warnings so that eye health would not be adversely affected. Head of Ocular Infections Unit of Turkish Ophthalmology Association Prof. Dr. Halit Oğuz stated that scabies is a very contagious infectious disease caused by eight-legged mites and that females of scabies leave their eggs on the outer layers of the skin, causing an allergic reaction, intense itching and rash on the skin.
Watch out for Norwegian or crustacean scabies
prof. Dr. Halit Oğuz said, “Although scabies does not pose a serious threat to the general health of the person, it reduces the quality of life. A more contagious and more severe type called ‘Scab Scabies’ or ‘Norwegian Scabies’ may develop in immunocompromised, HIV-infected, lymphoma patients, and some elderly people. While symptoms of scabies are not normally expected to be seen on the head and around the eyes, involvement in these regions can be observed in those who have this type of the disease, albeit rarely. If the disease is not diagnosed early and appropriate treatment is not started, crusty, yellowish, patchy lesions can be seen on the face, the inner and outer surfaces of the eyelids and even the conjunctiva layer covering the eyeball. Even in severe cases, the disease will improve with the right medications and treatment planning.” said
What are the symptoms of scabies?
Emphasizing that the most important symptom of scabies is severe night itching, Dr. Oğuz continued as follows: “The itching increases when the person goes to bed and the body temperature rises, and it can be so severe that it wakes him up from sleep. Itching subsides during the day. In addition, acne-like rashes, rashes, crusty blisters and wounds from constant scratching can be seen in the disease. The signs and symptoms of the disease are often seen between the fingers, inner surface of the wrist, armpits, elbows, nipples, groins and feet. One of the most prominent findings of the disease is the gray-white tunnels 1-10 mm long, which are seen as a wavy dirty line between the fingers, in which the scabies mite lives. When these symptoms are encountered, health institutions should be consulted as soon as possible.
What are the precautions to be taken for scabies?
Medications such as permethrin and ivermectin are used in the treatment of scabies. Medications should be used in the dose and duration recommended by the physician. For the prevention and control of scabies, considering that the symptoms will not start immediately, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not, those who share the same living environment with the patient and those who have long-term and direct contact with the patient should be treated at the same time. When treatment is started, itching may continue for 2-4 weeks. In order to prevent the spread of scabies, the patient and the personal belongings of the people living with the patient such as clothes, sheets and towels should be washed and ironed at at least 60°. Bedding should be ventilated for a few days, non-washable items should be stored in a sealed bag for at least three days.
Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency
