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Scabies with clinical features and positive darier sign mimicking mastocytosis

Alice Phan1, Stéphane Dalle, Brigitte Balme

  • 1Department of dermatology, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Claude Bernard University Lyon, CEDEX France.

Pediatric Dermatology
|August 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Scabies diagnosis in infants can be challenging due to atypical presentations. This case highlights how infant scabies can mimic urticaria pigmentosa, emphasizing the need for careful differential diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Parasitic Infections

Background:

  • Scabies is a prevalent parasitic skin infection in children.
  • Infants often exhibit atypical clinical manifestations of scabies, differing from adults.
  • Accurate diagnosis of scabies in infants can be difficult.

Observation:

  • A 5-month-old infant presented with unusual symptoms.
  • The infant displayed pruritic, brown-red macules on the trunk.
  • A positive Darier's sign was noted, which is typically associated with urticaria pigmentosa.

Findings:

  • The infant's presentation mimicked urticaria pigmentosa.
  • This case underscores diagnostic challenges in infantile scabies.
  • Atypical presentations can lead to misdiagnosis.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider scabies in infants with atypical rashes.
  • Differential diagnosis is crucial for managing pediatric skin conditions.
  • Awareness of scabies' varied presentations improves patient outcomes.

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