Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
Published on: October 12, 2012
Recurrent bullous scabies
David Serra1, José Pedro Reis, Angelina Mariano
1Dermatology Department, University Hospital of Coimbra, Portugal. david.serra.fernandes@gmail.com
Background:
scabies is a common infestation that usually presents as a pruriginous eruption consisting of erythematous papules, nodules, and excoriations. Diagnosis relies mostly on clinical features, including the identification of scabietic burrows. Several atypical clinical manifestations have been reported; bullous presentations are particularly rare and intriguing.
Objective:
a case of recurrent bullous scabies is reported.
Methods And Results:
an 87-year-old institutionalized woman developed a pruriginous eruption that mimicked bullous pemphigoid. Histopathologic examination revealed blistering at the subepidermal level and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate with numerous eosinophils. Scabies mites were identified on dermoscopy and on skin scrapings, allowing a diagnosis of bullous scabies. Despite effective treatment with topical lindane, failure to control scabies in her institution led to recurrences of her peculiar blistering infestation. Immunofluorescence studies were always negative.
Conclusions:
these observations underscore the mite's role in the pathogenesis of blister formation and illustrate current challenges in scabies' diagnosis and management.
Related Concept Videos
Genital Herpes
Smallpox
Herpes
Chickenpox
Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands
These glands that produce the oils on the skin and hair are holocrine glands. The mature...
