Morbidity of Scabies in Resource-Poor Communities

Morbidity and clinical features in resource-poor communities are considerably different from high-income settings. Severe itching, pain, sleep disturbances, secondary bacterial infection causing impetigo, abscess formation, and lymphadenopathy are common. Bacterial skin infection is common in communities with endemic scabies. Group A streptococcal pyoderma may cause post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis and acute rheumatic fever. Family members may be infected and can cause severe dissemination of the disease. Common co-morbidities, such as diabetes, malnutrition or other immunosuppressive health conditions may influence the clinical lesions and symptoms.