What Is It?
Scabies is caused by a microscopic mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. It burrows into the skin and lays eggs, leading to intense itching, a rash, and sometimes small bumps.
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
Yes, scabies is contagious and can spread quickly through close person-to-person contact in a family, childcare group, school class, nursing home, or incarceration facility. Because scabies spreads so easily, health care providers often recommend treating the entire family and any close contacts.
Scabies can be easily treated with medicated skin creams or pills that eliminate the mites and their eggs. Itching may not stop for many weeks after treatment. You should talk to a healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan if you have any scabies symptoms.