Scabies: A Skin Disease Spreading in Crowded and Impoverished Areas, and How to Prevent It

Skin diseases are not uncommon in areas with poor hygiene and crowded living conditions. One such disease is scabies, which is caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei. According to Prof. Arnon Cohen, a dermatology expert at the General Hospital, scabies is a skin disease that can significantly affect patients’ quality of life. The main symptoms include skin rash, severe itching that worsens at night, small red lesions, and itchy marks on the body. In some cases, a secondary skin infection may develop.

While scabies is usually not dangerous, it can be dangerous for immunosuppressed individuals and appears in a generalized form. Prof. Cohen emphasizes that scabies is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact between infected and healthy individuals or contact with infected objects like clothes, bedding, and towels. Risk factors include crowded living conditions, poor hygiene, and close contact with sick people. While the chance of staff at Shavas contracting scabies from prisoners is minimal, it does exist. Personal hygiene, avoiding contact with infected individuals, and not using their belongings can prevent infection.

Diagnosing scabies relies on clinical symptoms and contact history. Treatment involves topical application of medicine to relieve itching, eliminate the parasite, and prevent spreading. The current conditions in Gaza create a favorable environment for skin diseases like scabies to break out due to heat overcrowding lack of hygiene practices limited clean water access increase the risk of infectious diseases outbreaks haven’t occurred yet but there is a high chance of diseases like measles due to lack of vaccination intestinal diseases like diarrhea dysentery cholera due to poor hygiene practices