Welcome to the Scabies Channel

Scabies, an infectious skin disease caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, tends to spread rapidly in crowded places in which there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people. Hospitals, nursing homes, and child-care facilities are among these places where scabies can spread quickly. Scabies is spread through direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who is already infested with the scabies mite.

 

Once a person has been infected, it may take up to four to six weeks for symptoms of scabies to begin. When symptoms do appear, they often begin slowly. Some common symptoms of scabies include intense itching, especially at night and over most of the body; pimple-like irritations, burrows, or rashes on the skin; and small, rounded lumps (often on the penis and scrotum) that may remain for several weeks after scabies treatment. Fortunately, there are several lotions that are highly successful at killing scabies (including lindane, sulfur, and permethrin (Elimite^® cream).

 

Welcome to the Scabies Health Channel by eMedTV. On this channel, you will find a wealth of information on this topic, including articles about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of scabies. Whether you want to know what to expect during a visit for possible scabies, or would like more information about the possible symptoms of a scabies infestation, you will find the information you need here.

 

Many people begin their eMedTV scabies experience by clicking on any of the featured scabies articles located on this page. They may also begin by using the health topics section on the left side. If you do not find the scabies information that you are looking for in these two locations, try using the search box at the top of this page.