Version 1
: Received: 27 December 2017 / Approved: 2 January 2018 / Online: 2 January 2018 (04:42:43 CET)
Version 2
: Received: 8 January 2018 / Approved: 8 January 2018 / Online: 8 January 2018 (16:00:59 CET)
How to cite:
Mettam, T. The Identification, Management, and Control of Scabies in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Preprints2018, 2018010001. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201801.0001.v2
Mettam, T. The Identification, Management, and Control of Scabies in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Preprints 2018, 2018010001. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201801.0001.v2
Mettam, T. The Identification, Management, and Control of Scabies in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Preprints2018, 2018010001. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201801.0001.v2
APA Style
Mettam, T. (2018). The Identification, Management, and Control of Scabies in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201801.0001.v2
Chicago/Turabian Style
Mettam, T. 2018 "The Identification, Management, and Control of Scabies in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201801.0001.v2
Abstract
Background: Scabies is an unfortunately neglected tropical skin disease. Scabies occurs in Australia, however it is drastically more common amongst select socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Amongst these, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are affected particularly severely, likely secondary to rampant overcrowding. Methods: This literature review has comprehensively explored the relevant evidence available since the year 2000. Objectives: The objective of this article is to provide updates on the identification, management, and control of scabies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The article also aims to reveal issues with these factors that may be contributing to the inflated prevalence of scabies amongst these groups. Conclusions: Diagnosis currently depends upon clinical examination, dermatoscopy, and skin scraping microscopy; all of which are prone to error. In Australia, topical permethrin remains first-line treatment, however resistance is developing. Other management aspects to consider are environmental measures and treating secondary infections. Scabies prevention is far more cost-effective than managing advanced individual cases, typically ensured through mass drug administration of permethrin or ivermectin. Sustained prevention can prove troublesome for some communities. In order to address the status of scabies as a neglected tropical disease, these issues must be managed first.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
