Scabies cases have been on the rise at the IRCCS, Meyer Hospital in Florence, where a new therapy has been developed to combat the contagious disease. The itchy and highly transmissible condition is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei homini’ mite, which completes its life cycle in the human epidermis. The hospital has seen a 30% increase in cases over the last two years, with over 100 new diagnoses annually.
The spike in cases is attributed to the resumption of international travel post-Covid, as well as an increase in drug resistance to traditional scabies treatments like permethrin and oral ivermectin. To address these challenges, doctors at the Meyer Hospital have turned to a sulfur-based remedy from the past, developing a new therapy that has shown promising results.
The sulfur preparation, with a 17% concentration, is applied to the affected area and left on for three days before being removed and reapplied after a week. The treatment has proven successful in a study involving 22 patients and has become the hospital’s preferred method for treating scabies.
Aside from its effectiveness, the sulfur therapy is also cost-effective compared to other available treatments, making it a viable option for families dealing with scabies. The development of this new therapy serves as a reminder that rediscovering old molecules can lead to the creation of effective treatments, illustrating the importance of innovation in healthcare.