Symptoms and Signs of Scabies

Doctor's Notes on Scabies

Sacbies is a contagious skin disease caused by an infestation of the skin by a mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei.  It is transmitted from person to person by direct skin contact with an infested person. Sexual contact is also a common means of transmission.

Signs and symptoms of scabies include itching that can become very severe, especially at night. There is an associated rash that appears to resemble pimples. The rash of scabies is most commonly seen around the wrists, armpits, elbows, between the fingers and toes, around the nails, and in areas of skin skin usually covered by clothing including the buttocks, belt line, nipples, and penis. Another associated symptom is the presence of "burrows," which are thin gray, brown, or red lines on the skin that lead away from the bumps.