Current status of scabies in Korea

Abstract

Background: Scabies is an ectoparasitic dermatosis caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. Subpopulations experiencing increased direct skin-to-skin contact are at high risk of infestation.Current Concepts: The prevalence of scabies in Korea has fluctuated, depending on the overall socioeconomic status and hygienic environment; according to these characteristics, the scabies prevalence can be differentiated into periods. In the 1960s and 1970s, scabies was poorly controlled overall. Outbreaks were regional, and the incidence in dermatologic outpatient clinics was as high as approximately 10%. Scabies was more common in men and younger people (in their 20s or younger) then. In the 2010s, institutional outbreak became more prevalent, and older generations (60s or older) became highly vulnerable to scabies, as supported by the incidence per 100,000 population being extremely high in those 80 years or older in 2011. The number of scabies cases in 2021 in Korea was 29,693, and the age-standard incidence rate was 43.4 per 100,000 population. This may have resulted from the rapidly increased number of long-term care hospitals and nursing homes in the 2000s and from various other factors affecting the difficulty of diagnosing scabies.Discussion and Conclusion: Well-organized coordination between dermatology and facilities as well as more opportunities to educate relevant personnel to increase their understanding of scabies are essential to cope with changing challenges imposed by scabies.