Scabies Outbreak in Karachi: Awareness Needed to Combat Spread
Karachi:A scabies outbreak has been spreading rapidly in the coastal city of Karachi over the past two months, affecting nearly every other household. Health experts attribute the surge to a lack of public awareness regarding the disease.
Residents typically consult local doctors for treatment, but reports indicate that affected individuals are often only given injections or antihistamines, which are insufficient for treating scabies effectively. Without proper precautions, the condition continues to spread.
Skin specialist Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Brohi explained to V News that scabies is highly contagious and can be transmitted through physical contact, sharing clothing, or using the same bed as an infected person. He noted that the itching typically begins at night, and the disease can cover the entire body except for the face, which remains smooth and unaffected.
**Preventive Measures:**
Dr. Brohi recommends that infected individuals isolate themselves and avoid close contact with others. Personal items should not be shared, and bed linens should be kept separate and changed regularly. Maintaining cleanliness and showering at least twice a day can also help.
**Treatment Guidance:**
For those who contract scabies, older individuals should take antihistamines, while children can be given antihistamine syrup. Additionally, permethrin lotion should be applied after bathing for three consecutive nights, with a change of bed linens and clothing each night.
**Need for Public Awareness:**
Dr. Noor Syed emphasized that ignorance is a major factor in the disease’s spread. Many individuals either fail to seek medical advice or do not receive necessary preventive information. He clarified that while scabies is not a dangerous disease, it can disrupt sleep and significantly impact quality of life if left untreated.
He cautioned against requesting injections as a quick fix, stressing that proper treatment protocols and preventive measures are essential to combat the outbreak effectively.
