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Description
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis mite, which burrows into the skin to lay eggs and feces, causing intense itching and a rash. These symptoms can take up to 4-6 weeks for a first time infection and it can occur as early as 1-4 days for a person who previously had scabies (National Park Service, 2023). Scabies is often transmitted through prolonged and direct skin to skin contact with an infected person, through sharing clothing, or due to overcrowded environments. This intense itching and rash can cause poor sleep, social ostracization, and affect employment if not addressed properly. Scabies infestations are frequently complicated by bacterial infection called impetigo as a result of the scratching which may further result in abscesses, sepsis, and other invasive infections such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (WHO, 2024). Prisoners often suffer poor living conditions due to a lack of medical services, proper nutrition, and unsanitary conditions. Prisoners in jails are in constant physical contact with each other and their health can easily be affected if one or more inmates gets a contagious skin disease like scabies, which can spread into the general public when they are released or if staff members carry infections outside.
Department
Nursing
Publication Date
2024
Sponsorship/Conference/Institution
Dominican University of California
City
San Rafael, CA
Keywords
scabies, prevention, jail, prison, nurse education
Disciplines
Nursing | Other Nursing | Public Health and Community Nursing