Neonatal scabies treated with permethrin 5% cream

Scabies in neonates and infants has a clinical pattern that may be easily misdiagnosed. The eruption is generalized, including involvement of the head, neck, face, palms, and soles, with an early tendency to pustule formation. Other lesions include papules, vesicles, and burrows, which may be obliterated by secondary lesions. A confusing clinical picture resulted in a delay in diagnosing scabies in a 23-day-old infant who was successfully treated with permethrin 5% cream.