Dermoscopic examination of scabies in children-A cross-sectional study

Authors : Prathyusha Dasari Dasari, Neethu Chowdary K, S Haritha, P Sujith Kumar

DOI : 10.18231/j.ijced.2021.011

Volume : 7

Issue : 1

Year : 2021

Page No : 61-65

Background: Scabies is caused by Sarcoptes, commonly seen in preschool children and adolescents. Dermoscopy is a technique involving rapid and magnified observation of the skin. Traditionally, we used history, clinical examination, skin scrapings, and adhesive tests for diagnosis, but recently, dermoscopy has been an effective non-invasive method. There are very few well-designed studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy in scabies.
Aims and Objectives: To study the dermoscopic findings in scabies and research dermoscopy’s usefulnessin confirming scabies diagnosis in suspected cases.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 100 children aged between 1 – 15 years with symptoms clinically suspicious of scabies from July 2018 to July 2019. After a proper history, lesions were examined clinically and with Dermalite DL4 at the seven topographic areas where mite was suspected, and digital photographs were taken. Any of the signs were considered diagnostic.
Results: Among 100 children, 82 had clinical signs (burrows) suggestive of scabies, and 96 had dermoscopic features of scabies. Data analyzed with the Z test, which showed a significant difference (P < 0> Conclusion: Handheld Dermoscopy is more sensitive, accurate, non-invasive, painless, non-expensive, rapid, quick screening of many sites, and a simple technique for diagnosing scabies. Dermoscopy is a more effective tool in children, as routine skin scrapings can cause anxiety and trauma. 

Keywords: Dermoscopy, Sarcoptes, Scabies, Skin scrapings.


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