Scabies is a highly contagious parasitic
infestation of the skin which causes extreme itching and a pimple-like rash.
Scabies is a clinically significant cause of morbidity, especially among people
who are debilitated, immunocompromised, institutionalized, or elderly.
Successful control of a scabies outbreak requires a facility-specific outbreak
control plan, including techniques for early case identification and treatment,
robust infection and environmental controls, and protocols for communication
and education. Crusted (Norwegian) scabies is a severe form of scabies
characterized by thick crusts of skin which contain high numbers of scabies
mites. Individuals with crusted scabies can more easily spread the infestation.
