WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Ali Shukur Hachim Al-Husseiny*, Ali Raoof Oudah and Munqith Mashaallah Jaber Agholah

ABSTRACT

Background: Scabies is the most common neglected tropical disease with dermatological manifestations, disproportionately affecting socially disadvantaged populations living in overcrowded settings. The diagnosis is clinical and requires a substantial degree of suspicion. Prompt diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment are crucial to alleviate the burden of scabies. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study included 65 patients with atypical scabies and was conducted in Babylon, Iraq during the period from 24/1/2024 to 13/6/2024. Confirmed diagnosis was conducted by visualizing eggs, mites, or feces on skin samples by either light microscopy, high-powered imaging, or dermoscopy. Results: Generalized itching without primary skin lesions was the most frequent characteristic (30.8%), followed by diffuse nodular scabies in infants (13.8%) and scabies localized to the axilla, hands, and feet, as well as the genital area (both 12.3%). Verrucous plaques in renal transplant patients on cyclosporine accounted for 10.8%, while hyperkeratotic scabies in leukemia patients and erythrodermic scabies in Cushing syndrome each represented 6.2% of the cases, and generalized tense bullous lesions were observed in 7.7% of patients. Conclusion: Atypical scabies is more prevalent among individuals over 60 years and infants under one year. Atypical manifestations vary with age and immune status. Older adults often present with generalized itching without primary lesions, while adult males only show scabies in the genital area. Infants often show scabies on the axilla, hands, and feet. Immunocompromised patients show verrucous plaques and hyperkeratotic scabies. The study emphasizes the importance of considering age, sex, and immune status in scabies diagnosis.