November 15, 2025 | 06:45
Dozens of people in the pharmacy to buy acaricidal creams
Ventimiglia. Dozens of people have contracted scabies, a contagious skin infestation caused by a mite, in Ventimiglia. There are no precise data, as not everyone went to their doctor or the emergency room, but preferred to personally go to the pharmacy to purchase the products necessary for recovery.
Contagions have also occurred in schools, so much so that Dr Marco Melaleader of prevention department – complex hygiene and public health structure dell’Asl’Imperese sent a certified email toFermi-Polo-Montale Higher Institute “following the report by some parents of students attending the Institute of several cases of scabies within the school” to indicate the actions to be taken.
«Scabies is a skin disease caused by a small parasite, impossible to detect with the naked eye – explains the health company -. Contagion occurs through close and prolonged physical contact or through sharing personal objects such as sheets or clothes (for this reason it occurs more frequently in the family environment), sexual contact, or skin to skin. The risk of spread through indirect contact (books, pens, school desks) is very low.”
After an incubation period of between 2 and 6 weeks, “the parasite, after having penetrated the skin, multiplies and causes the appearance of symptoms”, such as annoying itching and skin redness. Anyone who becomes ill, explains the ASL, must be removed from school for at least 24 hours from the start of treatment with acaricidal cream. Cohabitants and people in close contact with the patient must also undergo anti-scabies treatment.
«Collaboration with families is fundamental – concludes Dr. Mela -. Parents are therefore invited to pay attention to the possible appearance of symptoms such as intense itching (especially at night) and lesions from scratching, promptly contacting the pediatrician or general practitioner if possible contagion is suspected. No quarantine intervention is envisaged for close contacts, since contagion in school settings is exceptional.”
