The Ancient Foe in Our Skin and the Quest for a Botanical Cure

By Dr. Getachew Abebe, PhD Fellow in Translational Medicine, CDT-Africa, Addis Ababa University

Dr. Getachew Abebe is a Medical Doctor and Clinical Chemist pursuing a PhD in Translational Medicine at CDT-Africa, Addis Ababa University. His research is supported through the EnDPoINT-2 Project, implemented in partnership with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

What if human suffering were not merely recorded in books, but quietly etched into our very skin? For over three millennia, a microscopic wanderer has dwelled within our beds, our bodies, and our history. Since 1200 BC, this creature has woven itself into the fabric of human existence, leaving a legacy of silent agony and profound misconception. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans spoke of it in whispers, often misinterpreting its signs as indications of moral failing or even divine punishment. Though it tormented countless generations, it remained unseen until 1687, when Giovanni Cosimo Bonomo, gazing through a microscope, unveiled the tiny parasite behind what was once called the “seven-year itch.” His discovery—made more than 173 years before germ theory—revealed one of humanity’s earliest known pathogens. Even today, this ancient foe afflicts more than 455 million people worldwide and remains classified as a neglected tropical disease. In Ethiopia, its pain is captured in the Amharic expressions “መሼ መከራዬ” or “መሼ ጉዴ,” which literally mean “when evening comes, my suffering begins,” reflecting how affected individuals endure constant discomfort while the world sleeps. This is not merely an ancient tale—it is the hidden story of scabies.

As a Fellow, my PhD project explores Ethiopia’s medicinal plants for novel bioactive compounds—natural defenders with the potential to end scabies’ silent torment. From ten species prioritized for traditional use and phytochemical promise, the top three are collected, dried, and ground, ready for extraction. A month ago, I received advanced training in Gabon, funded by Africa-UniNet and organized by Medical University of Vienna (Austria) and CERMEL (Gabon), focused on plant peptide discovery and peptidomics. While my current investigations emphasize broad-spectrum plant extracts, this training broadened my perspective and opened new avenues to explore how plant peptides might disrupt scabies mite proteins and pathophysiology. This work is more than science; it is a pursuit of relief, dignity, and comfort, transforming millennia of suffering into evenings of peace. The journey has begun, and in my next update, I will share insights into the biology and hidden lifestyle of the scabies mite—and how understanding its biology guides us toward a cure born of both nature and innovation: To be continued…