Diagnosis and Treatment of Scabies

Abstract

The diagnosis of scabies is a matter of suspicion backed up by knowledge. Suspect every patient with a persistent itch, particularly if other members of the family, are affected. Accurate diagnosis requires the discovery of a burrow or acarine products. Benzyl benzoate application or sulphur ointment should be applied to the whole skin surface below the chin on three occasions only. Every member of the household is treated simultaneously. Without treatment centres this preventable disease is likely to remain endemic. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.