Scabies (sarcoptes scabeii)

Epidemiology

Scabies causes much itchiness.

if someone has never been infested before, it can take weeks to for symtoms to show up

mites burrow small tunnels in the skin, causing elevated tracks (diagnostic) and rashes

common sites include between fingers, wrists, axillae, genitals, and ankles.

excoriated papules come from immunological response

pustules on palms and soles of a baby is scabies until proven otherwise

typically less than 10 mites on the entire body, making it hard to find the bugs.

use water soluble ink to soak into burrow, then wipe off with EtOH to visualize burrow.

treatment failure is common: make sure permethrin is applied properly and that fomites and other sources are treated to prevent re-infestation.