[Statistical studies on scabies at Division of Dermatology, Urakawa Red Cross Hospital]

Scabies is a relatively common skin disease caused by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. Because of its strong contagious capacity, social problems especially as sexual transmission or massive infection in school children arise quite frequently. Since we have experienced many scabies patients in our outpatient clinic of Urakawa Red Cross Hospital, statistical analysis was attempted on patients from April 1976 to March 1987, in order to contribute to prevention and control of the disease. Results have been obtained as follows: (1) The total number of scabies patients was 496 that is 1.96% of the total number of new outpatients seen in this period. (2) Sex ratio was 1.33 (male): 1 (female), slightly higher in male. (3) As to the age distribution, the highest peak was 3rd decade of life. (4) Compared with previous reports, the ratio of children and elders was remarkably high. (5) Massive infection was observed in one nursing home and one hospital. (6) As to the seasonal distribution, the number of patients was high from October to March, and the highest peak was November. (7) We compared three kinds of scabies and discussed about the useful effect of gamma-BHC in the cure and prevention of the disease, comparing with crotamiton and benzyl benzoate.