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Scabies incubation period

Long-Term Care Nursing Advisor, July 25, 2008

In persons without previous exposure, the incubation period is two to six weeks before onset of itching. Persons who have been previously infested are much more sensitive and usually develop symptoms one to four days after reexposure.

Be suspicious if residents and employees develop a rash and itching in a short period of time. Scabies if fairly common in long-term care, but the diagnosis of the condition is almost always delayed for a prolonged period of time. Scabies can imitate other skin conditions and may be misdiagnosed as:

  • Allergies
  • Inset bites
  • Hives
  • Eczema
  • Folliculitis
  • Contact or atopic dermatitis
  • Impetigo
  • Rosacea
  • Psoriasis
  • Lymphoma
  • Drug reactions

This week's tip is from Clinical Documentation: An Essential Guide for Long-Term Care Nurses written by Barbara Acello, RN, BSN.

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