Scabies is an infectious skin disease caused by a microscopic mite, the Sarcoptes Scabiei. Unlike hair lice that are visible to the naked eye and only attack areas of the body that are entirely covered with hair, Scabies mites are only visible under a microscope and plague the entire body. The Sarcoptes Scabiei mites tunnel under the top layer of skin, laying their eggs as they dig. The eggs hatch within a few days and the mites, now living beneath the skin, begin to move. This causes severe itching in the areas where the eggs have hatched.

The itching associated with Scabies is often confused for dry skin or other skin diseases like Chicken Pox. Unlike either of these, Scabies is caused by an allergic reaction to the tiny mites inside of the skin. Scabies causes a rash with a tunnel-like pattern on the skin or blisters with a black dot on them that could be either the end of the tunnel or the actual mite. Babies will usually only have red or irritated skin, making the disease harder to diagnose in small children.

The best deterrent of Scabies is avoidance of contact with an infected person, since Scabies can only be transferred through skin-to-skin contact. The Scabies mite can only live for a short period of time on clothing or bedding, but can in some cases be transferred by sharing one of these items with an infected person.

Typically, the intense itching caused by these mites is concentrated around the joints and in moist areas of the body. People will most often develop symptoms around their waistline, navel, buttocks and arm joints including wrists, palms and fingers. Men may also notice symptoms around their genitals and women around the nipples, breasts and areas at the bra line. Children have been known to exhibit symptoms on their delicate scalps, necks and the soles of their feet. The itching, which worsens at night or after bathing, is frequently accompanied by nodular bumps that are characteristic to Scabies. Frequent scratching in the areas where Scabies mites have burrowed into the skin causes the bumps.

Only a certified physician who analyzes a scraping of the skin under a microscope can diagnose scabies. It is often hard to find and identify the mite, so a physician trained in Scabies or other skin diseases will be more likely to properly diagnose it on the first try. The doctor will then prescribe a topical treatment, probably either Kwell (lindane) lotion or Elimite (permethrin), which will eliminate the Scabies only if used strictly according to the directions.

I hope the information provided here has helped you to get a better understanding of the symptoms and treatment of scabies.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about scabies.