Ungual Scabies: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Introduction: Nail unit infestation by scabies mites (ungual scabies) is uncommon. It usually presents with distal subungual lesions, leading to recurrent and persistent disease by acting as a reservoir of infection. Periungual involvement in scabies with nail loss is rare and may lead to severe nail damage. Case Presentation: We report a 14-year-old boy on chemotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) who presented with extensive scaling and crusted plaques of scabies. Nail unit revealed periungual crusted plaques with paronychia and onychomadesis involving five digits. It was associated with partial to complete nail loss. Dermoscopy of periungual crusted plaques showed greyish-white scales with brown dots and globules. A sinuous burrow with a brown-triangular structure was visualized in the web space. KOH mount from skin scrapings showed the scabies mites. Treatment of scabies led to a marked improvement. Conclusion: Though ungual scabies is generally a benign disease, proximal periungual involvement with damage to nail matrix is possible, leading to nail loss. We review manifestations of nail unit scabies reported in literature. Treatment options used and outcomes are also analyzed. The importance of nail-directed therapy in preventing relapses of scabies cannot be undermined.