Scabies in humans is caused by microscopic creatures called mites. They can make the skin of a person be irritated and very itchy. Red marks may also appear on the hands, elbows or thighs of a person. The mites do this by burrowing under our skin and laying eggs. This action of theirs can cause severe irritation and itching, followed by blisters and bumps. This disease is actually very common through out the world, being on the rise even in the United States. It has been discovered to be more frequent in shared living conditions like hospitals, nursing homes, and of course shared dormitories.



Scabies is transmitted from sick person to normal healthy person after prolonged skin to skin contact. Other short term actions like quick hug or hand shake seem to be not enough for the disease to be contracted. Other contacts, like between sexual partners or roommates can actually lead to scabies infections. Again another way a healthy person can take the illness is by coming into contact with infected items belonging to the patient; items like clothes, towels or even bedding.

Getting the diseases from the family pet dog or cat is not possible. There type of scabies is actually caused by another type of mites. Fortunately for us this kind of scabies can't actually survive on the human skin for more than a few days. It has been found that the human scabies is actually the work of a mite called sarcoptes scabi.

It is a fact that anyone can contract scabies, regardless of where they are living or their ethnic or cultural background. Still, scabies cases have been known to be more frequent in those who are living in crowded conditions or who have regular contact with babies.

The scabies symptoms appear in a person between 4 to 6 weeks from the initial infection. For those who have previously had the infection, symptoms appear much faster; in their case symptoms can actually appear within a few days from first contact. They can range from intense itching, especially at night, to burrow marks and blisters where the mites have crawled under the skin and a red scabies rash over the skin.

Proper medical attention can be given to you by your local health care provider. without professional help the mites will actually continue in producing and laying eggs. Severe cases have been known where excessive itching has eventually lead to skin infection, such as impetigo.

Treatment most often requires applying a medical lotion on the entire body. The lotion should by applied from the neck downwards, being more careful with regions like wrists, knees, elbows, and the webbing between the fingers. The time it takes for the lotion to take its proper effect is about 8 hours. Although itching may continue, signs of blisters or burrowing will most certainly disappear within a day or two.