Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- infants, children, and the elderly
- hx of overcrowding
- hx of itching in family members or close contacts over the same period
- generalized and intense pruritus, typically worse at night
- burrows
- papules, vesicles, excoriations
- positive ink burrow test
Other diagnostic factors
- papules on face, neck, palms, and soles in children
- immunosuppression
- bullae
- thick, crusted lesions occurring on elbows, knees, hands, and feet with dystrophic nails
- nodules
Risk factors
- overcrowded living conditions/poverty
- living in close quarters with others who are infected
- age under 15 or over 65 years
- sexual contact with new or multiple partners
- immunosuppression
- poor hygiene
- contact with an infected animal
- contact with contaminated clothing, towels, and bedding
- winter season
Diagnostic investigations
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors VIEW ALL
Assistant Professor
Department of Dermatology
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
PA
Disclosures
LKF declares that she has no competing interests.
Dermatologist
Treasure Valley Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center
Boise
ID
Disclosures
RH declares that he has no competing interests.
Dr Laura Korb Ferris and Dr Ryan Harris would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Pooja Khera, a previous contributor to this topic. PK declares that she has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers VIEW ALL
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
University of California
Los Angeles
CA
Disclosures
DC declares that he has no competing interests.
Chairman
International Foundation of Dermatology
London
UK
Disclosures
RJH declares that he has no competing interests.
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