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Centre of Evidence of Dermatology Best practice guidelines

Guidelines classic scabies: in children < 15kg, pregnant or breastfeeding women Updated on january 2024

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Forms of Scabies

Back to decision-making tree Print last updated on 10/06/2024

Profuse Scabies

Profuse or extended scabies is characterized by more numerous lesions and the extension of lesions throughout the body. Skin lesions can be found on the back. It is often associated with a late diagnosis, inappropriate treatments, or the presence of an unfavorable immune system, with decreased immunity.

Infantile Scabies

In very young children, scabies can have a deceptive appearance, including facial involvement, scabious nodules around the armpits, and pearl vesicles (small clear fluid blisters) or pustules (small turbid fluid blisters) on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

scabies, scabious nodule in child
Scabies, scabious nodule in a child
scabies in child
Scabies in a child
scabies, vesicles in child
Scabies, vesicles in a child
scabies, burrows in child
Scabies, burrows in a child

Hyperkeratotic Scabies (or Crusted Scabies)

It occurs in a specific context of immunosuppression (decreased natural defenses, secondary to a disease), or in elderly individuals living in a community setting.

The entire body is affected, including the face, scalp, and nails. There is erythroderma (diffuse redness of the entire body) with hyperkeratotic lesions, meaning that the horny layer of the skin is very thickened with scales and crusts, extensively. Importantly, itching may be absent or moderate.

Much less common than classic scabies, it is an extremely contagious form with thousands of parasites in the skin. Sometimes, hyperkeratotic scabies is limited to a skin segment.

hyperkeratotic scabies
Hyperkeratotic scabies
hyperkeratotic scabies
Hyperkeratotic scabies

Complicated Scabies

Scabies lesions can be superinfected, especially by staphylococcus (bacteria that secondarily colonizes the skin affected by scabies parasites). This is referred to as impetiginization of the lesions. Eczema can also occur secondary to scabies, particularly in individuals with dry skin and/or intolerance to treatment.

Animal Scabies

There is also animal scabies related to other sarcoptes, including various types such as canine scabies, sheep scabies, etc. These different forms of scabies can be transmitted to humans, who represent a dead-end host (cannot transmit it to another human). Animal scabies also manifests with itching.


Content from Dermato-Info.fr:
Dr Elisabeth LORIER-ROY
Photo credit: Dr Jean-Yves GOURHANT

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