A Rare Case: Scabies-related Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis

Scabies is an itchy cutaneous parasitosis caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a common vasculitis in adults and is often idiopathic but may develop due to infection, autoimmune diseases, malignancy, or drugs. Few cases of scabies-related LCV have been reported in the literature. We present a case of LCV, which we thought to be related to scabies, in light of the literature review. A 62-year-old male patient presented with complaints of cough, sputum, fever, and itchy rash on his legs for one and a half months. Treatment targeting pneumonia was initiated. He was diagnosed as scabies with pruritic maculopapular and purpuric eruption. We learned that itchy skin lesions were present in the spouse, as well. Topical permethrin treatment was initiated on both the patient and the spouse. Skin biopsy of the vasculitic lesions was reported as leukocytoclastic vasculitis pathologically. Mass malignancy, autoimmune diseases, infectious causes were excluded. Vasculitic lesions regressed with topical treatment. Improvement of the vasculitic lesions with topical permethrin treatment, exclusion of other causes, and presence of similar complaints in the patients’ spouse have led us to the diagnosis of scabies and LCV secondary to scabies. LCV due to scabies, which is a rarely seen condition especially in itchy lesions, is a challenging diagnosis. A detailed anamnesis would facilitate diagnosing such cases.