INTRODUCTION:

The occurrence of outbreaks of scabies in hospitals has been serving as an alert to the importance of early diagnosis and correct approach by Occupational Health services.

OBJECTIVES:

Review the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of scabies, as well as describe the approach taken by Occupational Health services in the face of scabies outbreaks.

METHODOLOGY:

Review of the topic in the scientific database (PubMed), using the search terms “scabies”, “diagnosis”, “treatment” and “outbreak” anywhere in the text. Only reviews published in the last five years and available for full reading were included.

RESULTS:

Scabies (commonly known as human scabies) is a parasitic skin infection caused by a mite that only infects humans, called Sarcoptes scabei, variety hominis. Transmission occurs by direct skin-to-skin contact or through contaminated fomites (as bedding, towels, among others). There are two clinical variants, the classic and the crusted (or Norwegian). First-line treatments are topical permethrin and oral ivermectin. Occupational Health plays a key role in addressing and controlling outbreaks in health institutions.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

Early detection of infected individuals, with due isolation in the case of crusted scabies; adequate and frequent cleaning of clothes; simultaneous treatment of all patients, professionals and family members who may have been exposed and continuous surveillance of affected professionals until cure are key aspects for controlling outbreaks.

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