Korean J Nephrol.
2010 Nov;29(6):813-817.
A Case of Norwegian Scabies in a Patient with Chronic Kidney Disease and Down Syndrome
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. ihlee@cu.ac.kr
- 2Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Abstract
- Norwegian or crusted scabies is a rare, highly contagious atypical form of scabies caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. homonis. It is usually associated with advanced age, immunosuppression, physical debility, and developmental disabilities. We report here a case of Norwegian scabies in an institutionalized patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Down syndrome. A 56-year-old male presented at our department with pruritic rash and general weakness of 2 months' duration. Examination showed hyperkeratotic, scaly, crusted erythematous plaques on the hands, trunk, and back of the patient. The microscopic examination of the skin scales with potassium hydroxide demonstrated numerous scabies mites. The patient was treated with hemodialysis and repeated applications of 1% lindane lotion for 2 weeks. He reported significant relief of pruritus and resolution of the skin lesions after the treatment. In addition to uremic pruritus, infectious skin diseases such as Norwegian scabies should be considered in the institutionalized patients with advanced CKD and resistant pruritus.
Keyword
MeSH Terms
-
Developmental Disabilities
Down Syndrome
Exanthema
Hand
Humans
Hydroxides
Immunosuppression
Kidney Failure, Chronic
Lindane
Male
Middle Aged
Mites
Potassium
Potassium Compounds
Pruritus
Renal Dialysis
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
Sarcoptes scabiei
Scabies
Skin
Skin Diseases, Infectious
Weights and Measures
Hydroxides
Lindane
Potassium
Potassium Compounds
