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Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
Volume 94 Number 6 583-586 2004
Copyright © 2004 American Podiatric Medical Association

Norwegian Scabies in the Immunocompromised Patient

Greg Grabowski, DPM ^*, Alicia Kanhai, MS, DPM ^*, Richard Grabowski, MD , Jean Holewinski, DPM  and Marie L. Williams, DPM ^* 

^* Parkway Regional Medical Center, North Miami Beach, FL.
Private practice, Washington, DC.
Private practice, Miami, FL.

Corresponding author: Greg Grabowski, DPM, Parkway Regional Medical Center, 160 NW 170th St, North Miami Beach, FL 33169.

Abstract

Norwegian, or crusted, scabies can be defined as a generalized severe scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) infestation usually affecting the immunocompromised patient that is most commonly seen with the leukemia-lymphoma group of neoplasms. The diagnosis is commonly missed, which can lead to mismanagement. We describe a patient with Norwegian scabies involving the lower extremities. The patient circumstances and treatment, as well as a review of the literature, are presented. The diagnosis of scabies should always be considered in patients with advanced malignancies and associated pruritus. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 94(6): 583–586, 2004)