Overview
Scabies is an itchy skin rash caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. Intense itching occurs in the area where the mite burrows. The need to scratch may be stronger at night.
Scabies is contagious and can spread quickly through close person-to-person contact in a family, child care group, school class, nursing home or prison. Because scabies spreads so easily, health care providers often recommend treating the entire family or any close contacts.
Scabies is easily treated. Medicated skin creams or pills kill the mites that cause scabies and their eggs. But itching may not stop for many weeks after treatment.
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Symptoms
Scabies symptoms include:
- Itching, often severe and usually worse at night
- Thin, wavy tunnels made up of tiny blisters or bumps on the skin
Scabies is often found in the skin folds. But scabies can appear on many parts of the body. In adults and older children, scabies is most often found:
- Between the fingers and toes
- In the armpits
- Around the waist
- Along the insides of the wrists
- On the inner elbows
- On the soles of the feet
- On the chest
- Around the nipples
- Around the belly button
- Around the genitals
- In the groin area
- On the buttocks
In infants and young children, common sites of scabies usually include the:
- Fingers
- Face, scalp and neck
- Palms of the hands
- Soles of the feet
If you’ve had scabies before, symptoms may start within a few days of exposure. If you’ve never had scabies, it can take as long as six weeks for symptoms to start. You can still spread scabies even if you don’t have any symptoms yet.
When to see a doctor
Talk to your health care provider if you have any symptoms of scabies.
Many skin conditions, such as dermatitis or eczema, also can cause itching and small bumps on the skin. Your health care provider can find the exact cause of your symptoms so that you receive the right treatment. Antihistamines or nonprescription lotions may ease itching. But they won’t get rid of the mites or their eggs.
