Therapy of scabies: nursing homes, hospitals, and the homeless.

Scabies epidemics in nursing homes, acute and chronic care hospitals, residential facilities, and communities have become commonplace. Patients with keratotic (crusted, Norwegian) scabies are highly contagious and often initiate outbreaks in institutions. This is a review of problems associated with the management of scabies epidemics in health care facilities. A model treatment plan, readily customized to suit specific epidemic scenarios, is detailed.