Determinants of Treatment Failure and Recurrence in Scabies: A Single-Center Retrospective Study of 332 Cases
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to identify the main determinants of treatment failure in scabies, with particular emphasis on the role of household treatment compliance and contact management.
Materials and Methods: Between January 2023 and October 2025, a total of 332 patients diagnosed with scabies clinically and/or dermoscopically in a dermatology outpatient clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic characteristics, contact history, household treatment status, and factors associated with treatment failure were evaluated. The causes of treatment failure were classified, and the association between household treatment status and failure types was analyzed using the chi-square test.
Results: Of the patients, 78.9% were adults and 55.4% were male. The most frequent cause of treatment failure was incomplete or absent household treatment (58.4%), followed by clinically suspected permethrin non-response (16.9%), reinfestation (12.7%), and incorrect or insufficient treatment (12.0%). A statistically significant association was observed between household treatment status and the distribution of treatment failure types (χ²=222.8; p<0.001).
Conclusions: Treatment failure in scabies is primarily associated with inadequate simultaneous household treatment and ongoing intra-household transmission rather than pharmacological resistance. Standardization of household contact management and improvement of patient adherence represent key strategies for reducing treatment failure.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Infectious Diseases, Dermatology, Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Early Pub Date
June 5, 2026
Publication Date
-
Submission Date
January 9, 2026
Acceptance Date
April 13, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication