What You Need to Know About Scabies
The characteristic symptoms of a scabies infection include intense itching and superficial burrows.[4] The burrow tracks are often linear, to the point that a neat "line" of four or more closely placed and equally developed mosquito-like "bites" is almost diagnostic of the disease.
Itching [edit]
In the classic scenario, the itch is made worse by warmth and is usually experienced as being worse at night, possibly because there are fewer distractions.[4] As a symptom, it is less common in the elderly.[4]
Rash [edit]
The superficial burrows of scabies usually occur in the area of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, back, buttocks, and external genitals.[4] Except in infants and the immunosuppressed, infection generally does not occur in the skin of the face or scalp. The burrows are created by excavation of the adult mite in the epidermis.[4]
In most people, the trails of the burrowing mites show as linear or s-shaped tracks in the skin, often accompanied by what appear as rows of small pimple-like mosquito or insect bites. These signs are often found in crevices of the body, such as on the webs of fingers and toes, around the genital area, and under the breasts of women.[5]
Symptoms typically appear two to six weeks after infestation for individuals never before exposed to scabies. For those having been previously exposed, the symptoms can appear within several days after infestation. However, it is not unknown for symptoms to appear after several months or years.[6] Acropustulosis, or blisters and pustules on the palms and soles of the feet, are characteristic symptoms of scabies in infants.[5] *
Commonly involved sites of rashes of scabies[7] *
Scabies of the foot *
Scabies of the arm *
Scabies of the hand *
Scabies of the finger
Crusted scabies [edit]
Crusted scabies in a person with AIDS
The elderly and people with an impaired immune system, such as HIV, cancer, or those on immunosuppressive medications, are susceptible to
Itching [edit]
In the classic scenario, the itch is made worse by warmth and is usually experienced as being worse at night, possibly because there are fewer distractions.[4] As a symptom, it is less common in the elderly.[4]
Rash [edit]
The superficial burrows of scabies usually occur in the area of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, back, buttocks, and external genitals.[4] Except in infants and the immunosuppressed, infection generally does not occur in the skin of the face or scalp. The burrows are created by excavation of the adult mite in the epidermis.[4]
In most people, the trails of the burrowing mites show as linear or s-shaped tracks in the skin, often accompanied by what appear as rows of small pimple-like mosquito or insect bites. These signs are often found in crevices of the body, such as on the webs of fingers and toes, around the genital area, and under the breasts of women.[5]
Symptoms typically appear two to six weeks after infestation for individuals never before exposed to scabies. For those having been previously exposed, the symptoms can appear within several days after infestation. However, it is not unknown for symptoms to appear after several months or years.[6] Acropustulosis, or blisters and pustules on the palms and soles of the feet, are characteristic symptoms of scabies in infants.[5] *
Commonly involved sites of rashes of scabies[7] *
Scabies of the foot *
Scabies of the arm *
Scabies of the hand *
Scabies of the finger
Crusted scabies [edit]
Crusted scabies in a person with AIDS
The elderly and people with an impaired immune system, such as HIV, cancer, or those on immunosuppressive medications, are susceptible to
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