Overview
Scabies is an infestation of the skin caused by a tiny mite called
Sarcoptes scabiei var.
hominis. Scabies is very contagious and spreads rapidly in crowded areas such as hospitals, nursing homes, child care facilities, prisons, and other locations where people spend extended periods of time in close contact with one another.
The rash of scabies is extremely itchy and develops when a pregnant female mite burrows into the skin and lays her eggs. The human immune system is very sensitive to the presence of the mite and produces an allergic response that causes intense itching. Although a person who is infested with scabies usually only has 10–20 mites on his or her entire body, there may be a large number of lesions because of this allergic response. Without treatment, the condition will not usually improve.
