Prevalence of Nail Scabies: A French Prospective Multicenter Study

Abstract

Introduction: To assess the prevalence of nail involvement in children <16 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of scabies.

Study design: Observational, prospective study in 7 French dermatology departments between June 2015 and January 2017. Children were included if they had scabies confirmed by dermoscopy and/or microscopy and if nails could be sampled. The first toenails and thumbnails as well as clinically affected nails were systematically sampled for microscopic examination. Individual data were recorded via a standardized questionnaire.

Results: A total of 47 children with scabies were included (26 females [55.3%], mean age 3.6 ± 4.0 years). Pruritus was present in 42 children (89.3%); the relapse rate was 38.3% (n = 18). In 3 infants (6.4%), Sarcoptes mites were revealed by dermoscopy or microscopy of the first toenails (2 cases) and a thumbnail (1 case), but nails were normal in 2 children. Two of the 3 infants had already received treatment for scabies in the previous weeks.

Conclusion: Prevalence of nail involvement in children with confirmed scabies was 6.4%. Nails should not be overlooked during scabies treatment.

Keywords: Sarcoptes scabiei; children; nails; pediatric; scabies; ungual.