Scabies in Nursing Homes

Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, commonly known as the “itch mite.” Female mites of this species burrow into a person’s skin to lay their eggs. The eggs incubate under the skin until they hatch. During incubation, the affected individual’s immune system triggers an allergic reaction to the presence of the mite eggs in the skin. This leads to unpleasant skin inflammation, itching, and potentially more severe symptoms if a scabies infection gets out of control. 

Scabies is particularly dangerous to older adults and immunocompromised individuals. In these cases, a scabies infection can result in a particularly severe form known as “crusted scabies” or “Norwegian scabies,” which causes agonizing symptoms and may be fatal if scabies mites enter an infected individual’s bloodstream.

Scabies is spread from person to person through close physical contact or contact with something an affected individual has touched. In most cases, the scabies mite is too small to be seen by the naked eye, so vulnerable individuals often do not notice the female mite burrowing into their skin. For this reason, it can be difficult to determine if a bedsheet or pillow contains scabies mites or mite eggs.

Nursing homes and care facilities can avoid scabies outbreaks by adhering to strict hygiene protocols in patient rooms. This includes consistently and thoroughly washing all bedsheets and pillows and regularly vacuuming each patient’s room.