Mom under microscope

A 17-year-old male presented to our outpatient department with nocturnal itching over genitals and webs spaces for the past 7 days. There was similar history in all his roommates. On examination, there were multiple excoriated papules seen in the genitals, inner aspect of both thighs, umbilicus, and web spaces. Scraping was done and a mature adult impregnated female mite, multiple eggs and scybala were demonstrated [Figure 1a and b]. A diagnosis of scabies was made. Scabies is one of the earliest diseases of humans caused by the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, that burrows in the epidermis of the skin. The pregnant female mite lay 2–3 eggs per day. Human scabies mites are capable of surviving in the environment, outside of the human body, for 24–36 h in normal room conditions.^[1] Patient was treated with 5% of permethrin overnight application on two occasions 1 week apart and proper instructions were given. Advised treatment for his roommates also.

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Figure 1:

(a) Female impregnated mite with an egg inside. (b) Eggs of scabies mite with scybala (Under light microscopy).

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