A 93-year-old former model has died from septicemia, a complication caused by crusted scabies that is left untreated for a long time.
Rebecca Zeni was a resident at a nursing home in LaFayette, Georgia. According to the autopsy report, Zeni died a painful death due to millions of scabies mites living in her body.
Records from the Georgia Department of Public Health show that Shepherd Hills Nursing Home reported incidents of scabies outbreak in 2013 and 2015. However, no inspection was conducted, instead, a state health official e-mailed information on how to treat scabies.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Kris Sperry, a former medical examiner at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said that Zeni's death can be considered a "homicide by neglect" case and that the victim was likely eaten alive.
"There was a conversation at this nursing home with a healthcare provider about being careful about touching Ms. Zeni's hand for fear that it might fall off her body," said Stephen Chance, one of the lawyers representing the family.
Pruitt Health, the operator of Shepherd Hills, denied claims made by the Zeni family, saying that the company is not a medical or health provider. Health added that they have "no legal duty to Plaintiff or Ms. Rebecca Zeni for which it could be held liable in this litigation."
What Is Scabies?
Scabies is not an infection but an infestation of the skin caused by the human itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. The adult female mite burrows itself in the epidermis, where it lives and lays its eggs.
Scabies is highly contagious and is usually transferred to from one person to another, skin-to-skin or through sexual contact. It is common in nursing homes, child care facilities, and prisons where mites spread in beddings and shared clothing.
When scabies is left untreated, it will develop into a more serious disease called crusted scabies. Up to 2 million mites can live in a person with crusted scabies, and about 50 percent of the patients will die within five years.
Signs And Symptoms
Prevention and immediate treatment are necessary to avoid scabies outbreak. Itch and rash are common symptoms of scabies. When rash leads to a sore, it means that an infection has occurred in the affected area.
Symptoms of scabies usually appear in wrists, elbows, armpits, nipple, waists, and even the genitals and buttocks.
"The severe itch can lead to constant scratching. With non-stop scratching, an infection can develop. Non-stop scratching can even lead to sepsis, a sometimes life-threatening condition that develops when the infection enters the blood," advised the American Academy of Dermatology.
Treatment For Scabies
Treatments for scabies come in the forms of topical creams or lotions. These products called scabicides can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription. It is also important to apply the amount and frequency of the medicine as recommended by the physician.
Infants with scabies are advised to take permethrin or sulfur ointments. Creams and lotions should be applied thoroughly in the body and on the scalp because scabies is likely to spread into different body parts.
Dermatologists may also prescribe antihistamine, antibiotic, and steroid creams to control the itch, fight off infection, and ease swelling.
Although ivermectin may be prescribed to patients with compromised immune systems, experts do not advise it for pregnant women or children who weigh less than 15 kilograms.
