| Summary: | The diagnosis of scabies may be very difficult since scabies mimics any pruritic skin condition. In tropical countries like Nigeria, one may have to consider insect bites, infestation of other ectoparasites and ‘Id’ reactions to dermatophyte infection elsewhere on the body; before considering other classical differential diagnosis such as dishydrotic eczema and dermatitis herpertiformis.
Following an earlier retrospective study of scabies patients at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital skin clinic, over a five year period 1994 - 1998); only 1.8% of cases had correct diagnosis at referral. Initial diagnosis entered by GP's that had seen the cases were incorrect and so were the management of these patients.
Nonetheless, identification of a burrow on the skin and isolation of the mite still remains the main pillar of diagnosis. In this review for scabies, the methods for diagnosis and treatment will be presented.
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