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Summary
Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. It is common all over the world, and can affect anyone. Scabies spreads quickly in crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people. Hospitals, child-care centers, and nursing homes are examples. Scabies can easily infect sex partners and other household members. Sharing clothes, towels, and bedding can sometimes spread scabies. This can happen much more easily when the infested person has crusted scabies. You cannot get scabies from a pet. Pets get a different mite infection called mange.
Symptoms are:
- Pimple-like irritations or a rash
- Intense itching, especially at night
- Sores caused by scratching
Your health care provider diagnoses scabies by looking at the skin rash and finding burrows in the skin.
Several lotions are available to treat scabies. The infected person's clothes, bedding and towels should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer. Treatment is also recommended for household members and sexual partners.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Symptoms
- Symptoms of Scabies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Preventing Scabies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Treatments and Therapies
- Treatment of Scabies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Images
- Scabies (VisualDX)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Scabies
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Also in Spanish
- Find a Dermatologist (American Academy of Dermatology)
-
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Children
- Scabies (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Scabies: A Very Itchy but Curable Rash (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.