17.12.2025 16:55
Warnings from experts have been issued regarding scabies, a disease that sees an increase in cases during the winter months. Hospital admissions for scabies cases, which show symptoms two weeks after infection, have risen. Prof. Dr. Özlem Su Küçük, a member of the Turkish Dermatology Association's Board of Directors, stated, "Scabies cases have been on the rise for the last 30 years. They are not as frequent as last year, but we are seeing an increase in hospital admissions. We are hearing about scabies cases lasting for three years; awareness needs to be raised."
Experts have warned against scabies, which is characterized by itching, stating that they have encountered cases of scabies recently. Prof. Dr. Özlem Su Küçük, a member of the Association's Board of Directors, and Dermatology Prof. Dr. Gülsüm Gençoğlan provided information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment processes of scabies, listing the precautions that need to be taken.
"TREATMENT OF A SINGLE PERSON IS NOT ENOUGH" Starting her words by saying, "We see more scabies cases in the fall and winter months," Prof. Dr. Özlem Su Küçük stated, "Scabies cases have been on the rise for the last 30 years, and we are seeing them more frequently. Scabies cases have continued in the last 2-3 years as well. Moreover, untreated citizens can experience it as a chronic disease for about 2-3 years. Treatment of a single person is not enough. If the people around them do not receive treatment, sometimes we cannot observe sufficient results in treatment due to individuals applying the medication inadequately or improperly. The person comes, we recommend the medication to their mother, father, but they do not want to use it saying, 'We have no complaints.' The disease can become chronic with a vicious cycle, and sometimes it is possible to talk about resistance to the medications. We recommend applying the medication to the entire body, including the neck down, between the fingers and toes, genital area, and breasts, and waiting for 8-12 hours before washing it off. Using the same pillowcases, sheets, and sharing clothes and belongings, even trying on clothes in fitting rooms worn by a person with scabies can lead to transmission," she said.
"WE HEAR ABOUT SCABIES CASES LASTING 3 YEARS" Prof. Dr. Küçük, stating that "itching is a must in scabies, and it increases in heat and at night," said, "We see this with the onset of winter in Turkey. It is not as frequent as last year, but we are seeing an increase in applications to our clinic and hospitals. The association is aware of this issue, and we occasionally hold informational meetings. Allergic reactions can develop, leading to red, raised rashes on the skin, and sometimes secondary infections can also occur. Nodules, sometimes the size of hazelnuts or walnuts, can be found in the groin and armpits, which can be a sign of untreated, prolonged scabies. In prolonged scabies, we may even consider other diseases and perform biopsies. We hear about scabies cases lasting 3 years. The disease can sometimes spread in kindergartens, dormitories, and closed hotel environments. We receive many applications from dormitories. In some cases, everyone staying in the dormitory may need to be treated, and awareness needs to be increased. It is beneficial to be more careful in areas like gyms and dormitories. People do not share it with others because they perceive it as a shameful situation. If they spoke up, perhaps their treatment could be provided earlier. In the late stages, the disease can present with scabies nodules, making diagnosis more difficult," she explained.
"CASES CONSTITUTE 30% OF OUR CLINIC" Prof. Dr. Gülsüm Gençoğlan emphasized the importance of acting consciously against scabies, stating, "Even though itching occurs all over the body, the fact that it does not affect the back, and in women, the chest and abdominal area, and in men, more so the genital and abdominal areas, is a typical feature. Generally, they complain of itching that disrupts sleep. With the arrival of winter, there is a significant increase in the number of scabies cases. It constitutes 30% of our clinic. The most significant source of transmission is those caused by clothing. Schools are an important source because children cannot be very careful; they sometimes mix up and take each other's clothes. Hand-holding, going to the cafeteria, playing, and touching are the most important sources of transmission. In hotels, for example, if the sheets and pillowcases are not changed, scabies can easily be transmitted from the individual who used the room before us. If we share the same house and bed with individuals, transmission can easily occur. Since it is associated with dirtiness and untidiness, people do not want to speak up, but it is ultimately a contagious disease that can spread to all of us. We all love visiting babies, and we should go, but babies should not be held if possible because we do not have many options for them. When they develop scabies in any way, the creams we can use have largely developed resistance to the existing parasites. We cannot give pill treatment to children under 15 kg, and this continues the cycle because parents have to take care of them. We are facing scabies cases that do not go away for 4, 5, or 6 months. It really becomes a very harassing and bad situation," she said.
"A FAMILY GOT INFECTED FROM A RELATIVE VISITING THE BABY, I WAS VERY SAD" Prof. Dr. Gençoğlan stated, "Itching starts about 2-3 weeks after transmission. The source of transmission in patients is usually a child. This parasite digs tunnels between live skin and dead skin, and we can detect the tunnels with a dermatoscope, then we provide medication. The medication must be used in a dose and frequency appropriate for the weight. After the first dose, we wait for a week because the medication only affects live bugs, not the eggs. New bugs emerge from the eggs after a week. Sometimes patients think they are relieved and do not take the second dose. This time, the cycle starts all over again. The pill is currently available on the market and is covered by SGK. Actually, during the pandemic, we learned to behave a little distantly; of course, the most common area of transmission is the hands, as we greet each other. Frequent hand washing is among the most important protective factors. I was really very sad about a family from the cases; they got infected from a relative visiting the baby. There is also nervous breakdown due to insomnia. After taking the first dose, we are no longer contagious, but all our clothes, everything we wore until that time, must be washed at over 60 degrees," she expressed.