"High Risk for Elderly and Group Facilities"…Korean Dermatological Association Launches 'Scabies Eradication National Health Project'

The Korean Dermatological Association is launching the "Scabies Eradication National Health Project" in celebration of the "21st Skin Health Day." Scabies, a representative contagious skin disease, is becoming increasingly risky due to the easing of COVID-19 quarantine measures and the rise in admissions to facilities caused by an aging society.

Kim Yu-chan, President of the Korean Dermatological Association, is giving a greeting at a press conference on the 8th.
[Photo by Korean Dermatological Association]

On the 8th, the association held a press conference to provide accurate information about scabies and announced that, in collaboration with the Korean Association of Long-Term Care Hospitals, it has carried out the Scabies Eradication National Health Project. This project involved education, medical treatment, and counseling for the prevention and early diagnosis of scabies at 208 long-term care hospitals across 14 regions nationwide.

Scabies mites cause a disease that affects more than 40,000 patients annually in South Korea. Although the overall national incidence rate is decreasing, outbreaks in group settings are on the rise due to the increase in long-term care facilities and a lack of awareness about scabies. Professor Jeong Kiheon of Kyung Hee University Hospital’s Department of Dermatology explained, "Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by parasitic infection accompanied by severe itching. It is mainly transmitted through skin contact with an infected person but can also spread via clothing or bedding."

He added, "If severe itching, red rashes, nodules, or blisters occur in skin folds such as between the fingers, one should immediately visit a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment." He emphasized that scabies can be completely cured with topical ointments, but if left untreated for a long time, it can spread to family, friends, and others nearby. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the symptoms and actively seek treatment.

Lee Yangwon, the association’s Director of Public Relations and a professor at Konkuk University Hospital, introduced the background and implementation plans of the Scabies Eradication National Health Project. He reported that, based on 2021 data, the incidence rate is higher among elderly patients aged 80 and above. Regionally, the incidence rates were higher in Gyeonggi, Seoul, and Busan, and 80% of cases occurred in clinic-level medical institutions. This is analyzed to be because many patients appeared in densely populated areas, and with the easing of COVID-19 quarantine management stages, scabies spread mainly in clinic-level medical institutions to patients and those around them (family, caregivers, medical staff, etc.).

To improve health and hygiene conditions, the association formed a Scabies Eradication Task Force (TFT) this year and established a network with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and domestic pharmaceutical companies to carry out the Scabies Eradication National Health Project aimed at disease prevention. Jang Seongeun, the association’s Director of External Cooperation and a professor at Seoul Asan Medical Center, reported at the press conference that dedicated dermatologists have been assigned to 208 long-term care hospitals across 14 regions nationwide to provide on-site medical treatment, management, and counseling.

Kim Yuchan, the association president and a professor at Ajou University Hospital, stated, "With the easing of COVID-19 quarantine measures and the increase in admissions to group facilities due to aging, the incidence of scabies, a representative infectious disease, is rising, necessitating increased caution." He added, "Our association will continue to improve and evaluate the system managed by dermatologists centered on long-term care hospitals and do our best in proactive prevention activities against scabies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.