Review of Scabies in the Elderly

First-line therapy for classic scabies includes topically administered permethrin and orally administered ivermectin. Topically administered permethrin is highly effective, with reported cure rates greater than 90% [15]. Permethrin 5% cream should be thoroughly massaged from the head to the soles of the feet and left on for 8–14 h. While one application is generally curative, a second application 14 days after is recommended for those with confirmed disease. In elderly patients in whom there is a higher chance of scalp involvement, treatment should also be applied to the hairline, neck, scalp, temple, and forehead [4].

The use of orally administered ivermectin for geriatric patients with scabies has been a controversial topic in the literature. A report published in 1997 by Barkwell and Shiels suggested that there was an increased risk of death associated with orally administered ivermectin use in the elderly population [16]. These findings were not replicated in other studies [17]; orally administered ivermectin no longer appears to be controversial and should be considered safe in older patients. In fact, orally administered ivermectin was used to treat a community epidemic of scabies in 34 nursing home patients in 1993 [18]. In 1999, Del Giudice et al. retrospectively studied the outcomes of these patients and found no evidence of increased death [19]. Orally administered ivermectin, administered at 200 μg/kg in two doses, is considered appropriate off-label therapy for classic scabies in patients who are treatment-resistant or unable to tolerate topical medications [4]. Orally administered ivermectin should be taken with food to increase the bioavailability in the epidermis [4]. The second dose should be administered in between day 8 and day 15 as ivermectin has limited ovicidal activity and may not prevent recurrences due to eggs present during the initial treatment [4, 20]. In the past decade, topically administered ivermectin has also become available. One group reported it to have similar efficacy as permethrin, but it is a high-cost agent and may not be practical for all patients [21].

Additional topical treatments for classic scabies include sulfur, benzoyl benzoate, lindane, crotamiton, and malathion, although these agents have not demonstrated superior efficacy to topically administered permethrin and in some cases have an unfavorable side effect profile [15, 22]. Many of these treatments can, however, be more cost-effective. The use of precipitated sulfur in petrolatum was found to have therapeutic efficacy, low cost, and a favorable side effect profile limited to mild dermatitis [23].

Benzoyl benzoate (5%, 10%, or 25%), though commonly used in resource-poor countries owing to low cost, is not available in the USA. Though treatment regimens vary, the European Guideline for the Management of Scabies instructs patients to apply the drug once daily at night on two consecutive nights, with a repeat treatment cycle after 7 days [24].

Lindane, which is no longer available for use in the USA, is infrequently used because of the risk for systemic toxicity including seizures and death [20, 24]. In years past it was intended for use only in patients who could not tolerate other therapies or are completely treatment-refractory. If used, a single treatment with a thin layer of lindane 1% was to be applied to all areas of the body from the neck down and thoroughly washed off after 8 h [20]. The risk for lindane toxicity cannot be understated, and European and Japanese guidelines recommend against lindane use altogether. Lindane is contraindicated in patients with cutaneous disorders that may result in increased absorption of topical therapy such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. Furthermore, lindane was found to have an adverse effect on water quality in California, where its pharmaceutical use was banned in 2002 [25].

Crotamiton appears less effective than permethrin in randomized clinical trials [22, 26]. The treatment regimen for crotamiton is not standardized but the Food and Drug Administration recommends application to the entire body from the chin down, reapplication 24 h later, and a thorough wash 48 h after the last application [26, 27]. While malathion 0.05% lotion has been used for scabies in previous case series that suggest efficacy, it has disadvantages including high cost and danger due to its flammability [22]. Malathion lotion should be applied to the skin at night and washed off after 8–12 h [24].

Although permethrin 5% cream is technically off-label for the treatment of crusted scabies, it is a critical component of the first-line regimen. It should be applied daily for 7 days, and then twice weekly until symptoms have resolved. A single 200 μg/kg dose of ivermectin should be given orally concomitantly on days 1, 2, 8, and 15, and potentially on days 22 and 29 for severe cases [28]. When patients are unable to tolerate permethrin, other second-line topical agents such as benzoyl benzoate, sulfur, crotamiton, and malathion may replace it. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends topical administration of 5% benzoyl benzoate cream as a permethrin alternative for patients with crusted scabies [20].

Although many topical therapies exist for the treatment of both classic and crusted scabies, elderly patients may have difficulty applying topical therapy because of limited mobility. When possible, patients should receive appropriate assistance with treatment application. In cases of significant difficulty, orally administered ivermectin may be preferred.

When classic scabies is identified in the institutional setting, staff should adhere to appropriate infection control measures when handling patients. Direct skin-to-skin contact should be avoided until at least 8 h after treatment. Individuals with prolonged skin-to-skin contact with affected patients should be treated. Clothing and bedding of the affected patient should be laundered with a washing machine and dryer using hot water and hot, dry cycles. Cleaning and vacuuming of the patient’s room should be undertaken after the room is vacated [38].

When crusted scabies is identified in the institutional setting, institutional infection-control personnel should be promptly involved. The affected patient should be isolated from other patients and a dedicated care team should be assigned for the patient to minimize exposure of staff. Strict contact precautions including avoidance of direct skin-to-skin contact with the patient and use of personal protective equipment including gowns, gloves, and shoe covers should be used until the patient has been treated and a scabies preparation is negative. Frequent cleaning of the patient’s room should ensue to remove contaminated scales and crusts. Laundering of clothing and bedding should be undertaken as described previously, and laundry personnel should use protective clothing and gloves. All individuals who came in contact with the patient or clothing, bedding, or furniture should be treated [39].