Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis (itch mite), leading to severe itching, especially at night, with burrows, papules, and vesicles on characteristic body sites.
Mnemonic: "S.C.A.B.I.E.S. = Severe Contagious Attack By Itchy
Epidermal Scabies"
CAUSES & RISK FACTORS OF
SCABIES
- Caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite.
- Spread by direct skin-to-skin contact or contaminated clothing/bedding.
- Common in overcrowded places & poor hygiene conditions.
- More frequent in infants, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Mnemonic: "M.I.T.E. = Mites, Infection, Touch (Contact
Spread), Epidemic in Crowded Areas"
LIFE CYCLE OF THE SCABIES MITE
- Female mites burrow into the skin & lay eggs.
- Eggs hatch in 3-4 days, forming larvae.
- Larvae mature into adults in 1-2 weeks.
- Mites survive only 2-3 days outside the body.
Mnemonic: "B.E.L.A." (Burrow, Eggs, Larvae, Adults)
CLINICAL FEATURES OF SCABIES
- Severe Night Itching (Worsens at Night).
- Burrows (Thin, Wavy, Blackish S-Shaped Lines on Skin).
- Papules & Vesicles (Fluid-Filled or Red Bumps).
- Common Sites: Finger Web Spaces, Wrists, Elbows, Groin, Axillae, Buttocks.
- Infants → Affects Face, Scalp, and Palms.
- Scratching Can Lead to Secondary Bacterial Infections (Impetigo, Folliculitis).
Mnemonic: "B.I.T.C.H." (Burrows, Itching, Thin Lines,
Common Sites, Hands & Feet in Infants)
TYPES OF SCABIES
- Classical Scabies → Mild form, affects typical sites.
- Nodular Scabies → Itchy red nodules (Common in Groin, Genitals).
- Crusted (Norwegian) Scabies → Severe, thick crusts with thousands of mites (Common in Immunocompromised Patients).
- Bullous Scabies → Resembles Bullous Pemphigoid (Rare Form).
Mnemonic: "C.N.C.B." (Classical, Nodular, Crusted,
Bullous)
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF SCABIES
- Eczema (Itchy, But No Burrows).
- Contact Dermatitis (Localized, No Burrows).
- Folliculitis (Pustules, No Burrows).
- Lichen Planus (Purple Papules, No Itching at Night).
Mnemonic: "E.C.F.L." (Eczema, Contact Dermatitis,
Folliculitis, Lichen Planus)
DIAGNOSIS OF SCABIES
- Clinical Examination (Nocturnal Itching + Burrows in Common Sites).
- Ink Test (Apply Ink to Skin → Wipe Off → Burrows Retain Ink).
- Skin Scraping & Microscopy (Detects Mites, Eggs, or Fecal Pellets).
Mnemonic: "C.I.S." (Clinical, Ink Test, Scraping &
Microscopy)
TREATMENT OF SCABIES
1. TOPICAL TREATMENT (First-Line
Therapy)
- Permethrin 5% Cream (Apply Overnight & Repeat After 1 Week).
- Lindane 1% Lotion (Neurotoxic – Avoid in Pregnant Women & Infants).
- Benzyl Benzoate 10-25% (Causes Skin Irritation).
- Sulfur 2-10% Ointment (Safe in Infants & Pregnant Women).
Mnemonic: "P.L.B.S." (Permethrin, Lindane, Benzyl
Benzoate, Sulfur)
2. ORAL TREATMENT (For Severe or
Crusted Scabies)
- Ivermectin (200 mcg/kg, Single Dose, Repeat in 1 Week).
- Used for Crusted Scabies & Immunocompromised Patients.
Mnemonic: "I.C." (Ivermectin for Crusted Scabies)
3. GENERAL MEASURES
- Treat All Close Contacts Simultaneously.
- Wash & Iron Clothes, Bedding, Towels in Hot Water.
- Avoid Scratching to Prevent Secondary Infection.
Mnemonic: "T.W.A." (Treat Contacts, Wash Clothes, Avoid
Scratching)
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF
SCABIES
- For Intense Itching (Worse at Night):
- Sulphur, Psorinum, Arsenicum Album, Mezereum.
- For Vesicular & Papular Eruptions:
- Rhus Tox, Hepar Sulph, Merc Sol, Staphysagria.
- For Crusted Scabies:
- Graphites, Silicea, Kali Sulph.
- For Recurrent Scabies:
- Thuja, Psorinum, Natrum Mur.
Mnemonic: "S.P.A.M." (Sulphur, Psorinum, Arsenicum,
Mezereum for Severe Itching)
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "S.C.A.B.I.E.S. = Severe Contagious Attack By Itchy Epidermal Scabies"
- Causes = "M.I.T.E." (Mites, Infection, Touch, Epidemic in Crowded Areas)
- Life Cycle = "B.E.L.A." (Burrow, Eggs, Larvae, Adults)
- Symptoms = "B.I.T.C.H." (Burrows, Itching, Thin Lines, Common Sites, Hands & Feet in Infants)
- Types = "C.N.C.B." (Classical, Nodular, Crusted, Bullous)
- Differential = "E.C.F.L." (Eczema, Contact Dermatitis, Folliculitis, Lichen Planus)
- Diagnosis = "C.I.S." (Clinical, Ink Test, Scraping & Microscopy)
- Topical Treatment = "P.L.B.S." (Permethrin, Lindane, Benzyl Benzoate, Sulfur)
- Oral Treatment = "I.C." (Ivermectin for Crusted Scabies)
- General Measures = "T.W.A." (Treat Contacts, Wash Clothes, Avoid Scratching)
- Homeopathy = "S.P.A.M." (Sulphur, Psorinum, Arsenicum, Mezereum for Severe Itching)
