a) True _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wrong answer ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

b) False _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Correct ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯

Answer and Commentary _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The pruritis associated with scabies is thought to be due to a Type IV delayed hypersensitivity immune reaction to the mite, its species and eggs or another substance left by the mite. It results in widespread papular rash and itching. The symptomatic incubation period can range from 3 days to 6 weeks. Treatment includes 1% lindane or 5% permethrin left on the skin overnight for 8 to 14 hours and then showered off in the morning. A repeat treatment at the third or seventh day is often added to cover newly hatched eggs or make up for a poor application technique. Symptomatic post-treatment itchiness can persist for up to 10 to 14 days in spite of adequate treatment until the corpse, feces and eggs remaining in the skin are shed off. Post-treatment itchiness can be controlled with 1% hydrocortisone cream or other non-fluorinated topical steroids. ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯