Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Treatment
Prevention
Crustedscabies, also known as Norwegian scabies, is a severe form of scabies that typically happens in people with a weakened immune system.
Scabies mites are parasites that burrow into and lay their eggs in the upper layer of human skin. Scabies is treatable and not usually a cause for concern. However, in people who areimmunocompromised, the infestation can become severe and difficult to treat.
airdone / Getty Images
With crusted scabies, a person can be host to millions of mites, compared to a regular infestation, which usually involves 10 to 15 mites.
This article will provide an overview of crusted scabies, a severe form of scabies, including symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment, and prevention.
Crusted Scabies Symptoms
Symptoms of crusted scabies are often similar to regularscabiesbut are more severe. Some people may only experience crusting without other symptoms, however.
Symptoms may include:
People with crusted scabies will have very thick crusts on their skin because of the large number of mites present. In some people, intense itching can trigger scratching that causes an infection.
Common spots for scabies infestations are:
If you have close contact with someone with scabies, you may not develop symptoms immediately. It can take up to eight weeks to notice symptoms if you’ve never had scabies before. If you’ve previously had scabies, symptoms may appear sooner.
Symptoms of Scabies
Scabies happens when you come into direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has an active scabies infestation.
Crusted scabies is even more contagious because crusts of skin may fall off a person’s body. Since the mites can live on that fallen skin tissue for a while, it’s possible to contract crusted scabies from touching clothing or other items that an infected person has recently used. Mites can live for up to three days off the human body.
Additionally, with crusted scabies, you can pass on the mites to someone else, even with brief skin-to-skin contact.
What Causes Scabies?
Crusted Scabies Risk Factors
You’re more likely to develop crusted scabies if you have a weakened immune system due to:
Scabies is also common in people who are hospitalized or residents of long-term medical facilities, like nursing homes.
Medical treatment is necessary to get rid of scabies and crusted scabies. Treatment can be difficult because thick crusts make it tougher for the skin to absorb topical medications. This is why healthcare providers usually treat crusted scabies with a combination of topical and oral medications.
Doctors will often prescribe oralivermectin, an antiparasitic and topical medication, for people with severe scabies. In some people, multiple doses of the medication may be necessary to kill the mites and cure scabies.
Topical medications for crusted scabies may include:
Your healthcare provider may prescribe other medications, likeantibioticsorantihistamines, to treat itching and prevent infection.
With treatment, people will see a reduction in symptoms in about four weeks. Some people, especially those with crusted scabies, will require repeat treatments to kill off the mites completely.
How Scabies Is Treated
In addition to treatment, you can also do a few things to prevent passing on the mites to someone else or contracting scabies again.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends:
How to Prevent Scabies
Summary
Crusted scabies, or Norwegian scabies, is a severe form of scabies that often affects people with weakened immune systems. Because the body has a harder time fighting off the infestation, the mites reproduce easily and cause a heavily crusted rash and intense itching.
Crusted scabies is harder to treat than regular scabies because there are so many mites. The thickened and crusted skin may not absorb medication well. Many people with crusted scabies will need multiple rounds of treatment to eliminate the mites.
It’s important for people who have come into contact with someone who has crusted scabies to receive treatment since this form of scabies is very contagious.
A Word From Verywell
Crusted scabies can be very uncomfortable, but the mites aren’t typically dangerous. The biggest issue is the potential for infection due to scratching.
Get in touch with a healthcare provider as soon as you notice potential signs of scabies. Untreated, the condition will get worse, and only medical treatments can get rid of scabies mites.
The people around you might benefit from treatment, too. Your healthcare provider will likely ask you about your sexual partners or people you live with who might have been exposed.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chandler DJ, Fuller LC.A review of scabies: An infestation more than skin deep.Dermatology. 2019;235:79-90. doi:10.1159/000495290American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies frequently asked questions (FAQs).American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: who gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: diagnosis and treatment.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chandler DJ, Fuller LC.A review of scabies: An infestation more than skin deep.Dermatology. 2019;235:79-90. doi:10.1159/000495290American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies frequently asked questions (FAQs).American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: who gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: diagnosis and treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chandler DJ, Fuller LC.A review of scabies: An infestation more than skin deep.Dermatology. 2019;235:79-90. doi:10.1159/000495290American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies frequently asked questions (FAQs).American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: who gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: diagnosis and treatment.
Chandler DJ, Fuller LC.A review of scabies: An infestation more than skin deep.Dermatology. 2019;235:79-90. doi:10.1159/000495290
American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: signs and symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies frequently asked questions (FAQs).
American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: who gets and causes.
American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: diagnosis and treatment.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
