References:
- Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network: Infectious Diseases of the Philippines, 2013 eBook Edition, ISBN 978-1-61755-582-4, by Stephen Berger. Accessed here.
| Agent | PARASITE - Arthropod. Arachnid, Acarina (Mite), Sarcoptiae: Sarcoptes (Acarus) scabiei |
| Reservoir | Human |
| Vector | Mite |
| Vehicle | Contact Sexual contact |
| Incubation Period | 3 to 42 days |
| Diagnostic Tests | Identification of mites in skin scrapings |
| Typical Adult Therapy | Permethrin 5%. OR Lindane. OR Crotamiton 10% OR Ivermectin 150 to 200 ug/kg PO as single dose |
| Typical Pediatric Therapy | Permethrin 5%. OR Lindane. OR Crotamiton 10% OR Ivermectin 200 mcg/kg PO (> 15 kg body weight) |
| Clinical Hints | Intensely pruritic papules, vesicles and burrows - interdigital webs, wrists, elbows, axillae, perineal region, buttocks, penis; pruritus most intense at night; severe psoriaform infestation (Norwegian scabies) noted in debilitated patients. |
| Synonyms | Cheyletiella, Cheyletiella infestation, Escabiose, Escabiosis, Histiostomatid mites, Kratze, Mange, Ornithonyssus, Pyemotes, Sarcoptes scabiei, Sarna, Scabbia, Skabies, Tropical rat mite. |
The lesions of scabies are usually symmetrical.
- Typical sites include the interdigital webs, buttocks, penis, scrotum, breasts and nipples, axillae and flexor surfaces of the wrists.
- Pruritis is often worse at night.
- Skin lesions consist of burrows, papules or vesicles.
- Exaggerated eczematous patches (‘crusted’, or Norwegian scabies) may be encountered notably in institutions for Down’s syndrome and leprosy.
- Lesions in children are atypical and tend to involve the buttocks and perineum.
- Complications include secondary infection and acute glomerulonephritis.