Combination of Crusted Scabies with Bullous Scabies: A Rare Case

Abstract

Scabies is a parasitic skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. Crusted scabies, also known as Norwegian scabies, is a rare and severe form of scabies that occurs more frequently in immunocompromised, elderly, disabled, and debilitated patients. The present study reports a case of crusted scabies combined with bullous scabies. A 44-year-old man was admitted with the chief complaint of red, thick, scaly patches of skin accompanied by crusting that felt itchy and worsened at night. The lesions had appeared all over his body intermittently for the last 10 years; however, the complaints worsened in the last 2 months. From dermatological status, the anterior and posterior thoracic regions and between the fingers of both hands showed generalized distribution of erythematous, yellowish, hyperkeratotic plaques with clear boundaries, pustules, and blisters on an erythematous base with multiple erosions and excoriations. S. scabiei were found on skin scraping examination, and histopathological examination supported the diagnosis of bullous scabies. The patient received 5% permethrin lotion topical therapy and systemic ivermectin therapy. In addition, the patient was given systemic antibiotics. The lesions improved after 2 weeks of therapy, and no S. scabiei were found on the subsequent microscopic examination. Treatment with a combination of topical and systemic scabicidal agents produced a favorable outcome in this patient.

Erythroderma‐like crusted scabies in an immunocompetent patient after systemical corticosteroids

“…Erythrodermic scabies, a rare form of crusted scabies, primarily affects immunocompromised individuals, rendering their immune system ineffective against scabies mites in the skin, which results in a severe infestation of thousands to millions of mites. 5 Erythrodermic scabies are easily misdiagnosed as other diseases with erythrodermic appearance. Accurate diagnosis of scabies depends on dermoscopy and microscopy.…”