Norwegian scabies in a 82-year-old female patient

• Published in: Przegląd dermatologiczny 2020-01, Vol.107 (5), p.447-453
• Main Authors: Wańczyk-Dręczewska, Beata, Owczarczyk-Saczonek, Agnieszka B., Placek, Waldemar J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dermatology; Hospitalization; hyperkeratosis; Immunology; Internal medicine; Laboratories; norwegian scabies; Parasitic diseases; scabies; Sexually transmitted diseases; Skin diseases; STD
• ISSN: 0033-2526; 2084-9893
• DOI: 10.5114/dr.2020.101672

Introduction Scabies is a dermatosis caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a parasitic mite. The characteristic presentation does not pose diagnostic or therapeutic difficulties. However, the infestation also may have an atypical clinical presentation. Norwegian scabies is a rare, most severe and highly contagious form of the disease. Objective This article presents the case of a 82-year-old woman with massive infection with Norwegian scabies. Because of numerous comorbidities and poor general condition the patient required interdisciplinary treatment, both dermatological and internal. Case report Due to numerous burdens and poor general condition, the patient required interdisciplinary treatment, both dermatological and internal medicine. During the hospitalization, the patient’s condition improved and her skin lesions dissapeared. Conclusions Norwegian scabies is a curable disease, but it is of key importance to recognize and treat it early, which prevents the disease from spreading. The diagnostics may difficult because of the non-specific clinical presentation.