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.
