Scabies : Norwegian

Scabies, particularly the crusted variant known as Norwegian scabies, is a highly contagious skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. This microscopic ectoparasite burrows into the skin, causing intense itching and significant skin inflammation. Norwegian scabies is a severe form of the disease characterized by thick crusts of skin filled with thousands to millions of mites, a stark contrast to the typical scabies presentation, which involves a much lower mite burden.

The condition is prevalent worldwide, with an estimated 300 million individuals affected annually. Higher rates of scabies are observed in developing countries, where factors such as overcrowding, limited access to healthcare, and poor hygiene contribute to the spread of the infestation. However, Norwegian scabies is most commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and those with neurological conditions.

The term "Norwegian scabies" originates from the first detailed description of this severe form of scabies in Norway during the mid-19th century. In 1848, the Norwegian physicians Daniel Cornelius Danielssen and Carl Wilhelm Boeck published their observations of patients with unusually severe and widespread scabies. These patients exhibited extensive crusting of the skin and harbored an extremely high number of mites, a presentation distinct from the more...