Norwegian Scabies

Norwegian scabies is a severe form of the scabies infestation. It most commonly affects the elderly, people taking steroid medications, and people with certain conditions (such as Down syndrome or leukemia). Symptoms can look similar to psoriasis and include numerous blisters, a thick crust over the skin, thickened and deformed nails, and slight itching.

Scabies-Overview

What Is Norwegian Scabies?

Scabies is an infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Norwegian scabies is a severe form of this infestation.

Causes and Transmission Methods

Norwegian scabies is caused by an infestation with the scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei). It is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person already infested with scabies. Infestation may also occur by sharing clothing, towels, and bedding.

(Click Scabies Causes for more information.)

Who Is at Risk?

Norwegian scabies is more common in the elderly, people taking steroid medicines, or people with the following:

Brain or spinal cord conditions
Mental conditions
Senile dementia
Down syndrome
Leukemia
Weakened immune system conditions (such as HIV or AIDS).

Symptoms of Norwegian Scabies

This type of infestation can cause symptoms that look similar to psoriasis and include:

Numerous blisters
Thick crust over the skin
Thickened, deformed nails
Redness
Slight itching.

(Norwegian Scabies Continued: Page 2)