Scabies

Scabies is a parasitic infestation of the skin caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It causes a significant disease burden worldwide, especially in residential and nursing care homes and in developing countries where poor access to health care contributes to disease undertreatment and long-term systemic sequelae. Classic scabies typically manifests as an intensely pruritic eruption with characteristic burrows formed as the adult female mites consume their way through the epidermis. Crusted scabies is a rare and severe form of infestation characterized by profuse hyperkeratosis containing over 4000 mites per gram of skin. The diagnosis should be suspected in any patient with a clinical history of itch which is worse at night and affects other family members or close contacts. Nowadays, a variety of noninvasive diagnostic techniques are available. Scabies can be rapidly diagnosed using dermoscopy. The most commonly used treatments are topical 5% permethrin lotion and oral ivermectin.