Scabies

Scabies

Scabies Mites Slideshow Adult Skin Problems Slideshow Childhood Skin Problems Slideshow

Medical Authors: Alan Rockoff, MD and Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is scabies?
• How do you get scabies?
• Can you catch scabies from a dog or cat?
• What does scabies look like? What are the signs and symptoms of scabies?
• What does scabies feel like?
• What is the treatment for a scabies infestation?
• Are cases of scabies often misdiagnosed?
• What are possible complications of scabies?
• In what special situations can scabies be more easily spread?
• Pictures of Scabies Mites - Slideshow
• Pictures of Adult Skin Problems - Slideshow
• Pictures of Childhood Skin Problems - Slideshow
• Patient Discussions: Scabies - Effective Treatments

What is scabies?

Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by an infestation by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Mites are small eight-legged parasites (in contrast to insects, which have six legs). They are tiny, just 1/3 millimeter long, and burrow into the skin to produce intense itching, which tends to be worse at night. The mites that cause scabies are not visible with the naked eye but can be seen with a magnifying glass or microscope.

How do you get scabies?

Scabies mites are very sensitive to their environment. They can only live off of a host body for 24-36 hours under most conditions. Transmission of the mites involves close person-to-person contact of the skin-to-skin variety. It is hard, if not impossible, to catch scabies by shaking hands, hanging your coat next to someone who has it, or even sharing bedclothes that had mites in them the night before. Sexual physical contact, however, can transmit the disease. In fact, sexual contact is the most common form of transmission among sexually active young people. However, other forms of physical contact, such as mothers hugging their children, are sufficient to spread the mites. Over time, close friends and relatives can contract it this way, too. School settings typically do not provide the level of prolonged personal contact necessary for transmission of the mites.

Can you catch scabies from a dog or cat?

Dogs and cats are infected by different types of mites than those which infect humans. Animals are not a source of spread of human scabies. Scabies on dogs is called mange. When canine or feline mites land on human skin, they fail to thrive and produce only a mild itch that goes away on its own. This is unlike human scabies which gets worse and worse unless the condition is treated.

What does scabies look like?

Scabies - Effective Treatments

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

What kinds of treatments have been effective for your scabies?

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