Itch in Scabies—What Do We Know?

Abstract

Scabies is a common parasitic skin infestation characterized by severe itch and a heterogenous clinical presentation. Itch, as the cardinal symptom of scabies, is imposing a high burden on affected patients and is often difficult to manage. Decreased life quality and secondary complications, caused by an itch-related disruption of the epidermal barrier and subsequent superinfections, illustrate the need to treat scabies and to understand the underlying mechanisms of itch in respective patients. This review summarizes available data on itch in scabies with a special focus on the clinical aspects and its underlying pathomechanisms.

Pruritus as a Distinctive Feature of Type 2 Inflammation

“…The development of the immune response corresponds to the time frame needed to develop symptoms. Mite antigens and components directly activates both the innate immune response via Toll-like receptors (TRLs) and pruriceptors (PAR-2, TRPV1, and TRPA1) [51,52]. The initial T cell response is mixed with both Th1 and Th2 components with a marked Th2 skewing, which is much more striking in crusted scabies, compared to ordinary scabies [49,50].…”

Localized scabies crustose over the engrafted skin: Report of two cases

“…To the Editor, Crusted scabies (Norwegian), a rare (<0.1% prevalence) and severe form of scabies associated with a lower grade of itch, especially apparent in immunosuppressed individuals and generalized form. 1 We report two instances of localized crusted scabies in the areas of cutaneous engraftment in immunocompetent individuals, probably the first to be reported in the literature.…”

Management of Scabies Cases with Secondary Infection in Children through Family Medicine Approach

“…In this visit, an evaluation of the initial treatment was carried out and pus wounds obtained in patient K has dried up and itchy complaints no longer exist. Besides, there were no lesions in other limbs and provide re-education about scabies and remind about the importance maintaining personal hygiene (El-Moamly, 2021;Ständer & Ständer, 2021;Wochebo et al, 2019).…”