The Wire

Scabies is a skin mite that causes much misery worldwide, causing itching and skin sores particularly in small children. It’s prevalent in remote communities and now its existence is being linked to  much more serious and lifelong diseases such as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Indigenous researcher Dr Simone Reynolds says that one major problem dealing with scabies  is that current treatments are unpleasant for patients and tend to be discontinued  before they are effective. Her research focuses on finding a better solution to stop the mite and kill its eggs.