Scabies: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate scabies (scabies):

Leading symptoms

  • Pruritus (itching), which increases with heat, especially bed heat (nocturnal itching) [in immunocompetent people most violent itching!].
  • Small, irregularly wound mite ducts (duct-like, elongated papules), which are surrounded by vesicles and eczema

Predilection sites (body regions where the disease preferentially occurs) of mite ducts include:

  • Axilla (armpit)
  • Areola (areola)
  • Navel
  • Groin
  • Penis (dash-shaped, partly also scratched up nodules, “penis papules”).
  • Perianal region – region around the anus.
  • Ankle
  • Interdigital folds (interfinger folds) of the hands / feet.
  • Inner edges of the feet

Predilection sites in infants and young children.

  • Hairy head
  • Face
  • Palmoplantar region (palms of hands and feet)

Note

  • Extremities or abdomen may also be affected.
  • The intensity of the symptoms and subsequent skin symptoms depends on the immune system of the affected person. Neither is an indicator of the extent of colonization.

Forms of scabies

  • “Maintained scabies“: in this case, only marginal eczematoid skin lesions appear, which are to be sought in the area of the predilection sites.
  • Scabies crustosa (synonyms: Scabies norvegica; bark scabies) – massive mite infestation up to several million mites on and in the skin) with psoriasiform changes and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis (excessive keratinization of the skin); possibly. also erythroderma (reddening of the skin on the entire body); pruritus (itching) may be completely absent (due to lack of immune response); risk groups: immunocompromised patients (HIV, malignancies; immunosuppressants), immunodeficiency in old age; inpatient therapy requiredCave! Infestation (infestation with the parasite) even with only brief contact with the diseased (eg, shaking hands).
  • Scabies bullosa: DD bullous pemphigoid (BP; blistering skin disease); appearance of blisters: Localization: mostly trunk and extremities, rarely neck and genital region, occasionally generalized; Occurrence: old age, men.
  • Papular/nodular scabies (reddish-brown papules/nodules) DD postscabial granulomas.