Pig handler's itch

Abstract

Forty-six humans who contacted pigs infested with Sarcoptes scabiei were investigated. Thirty (65.2%) had symptoms of sarcoptes scabies, and S. scabiei mites could be recovered from 20 (66.6%) skin scrapings. Itching was the main symptom. People within the age group of 26-35 years were infested the most. Hands and legs were the most common sites of the lesions, which subsided within 2-3 weeks when the infested pigs were treated and the intimate contact with the pigs was prevented.