An Introduction to Scabies Signs and Symptoms
When a person becomes infected with the
scabies mite
(Sarcoptes scabiei), the amount of time before symptoms appear can vary. For someone who has never had the condition, it can take four to six weeks for symptoms to begin. For someone who has had them before, symptoms of scabies can begin within several days.
Common Symptoms of Scabies
Scabies symptoms often begin slowly, with a minor rash and itching that tends to worsen at night. Scratching spreads the mites to other areas, and the symptoms generally worsen after several weeks. Common symptoms can include:
- Intense itching, especially at night and over most of the body.
- Pimple-like irritations, burrows, or rash on the skin.
- Sores on the body caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected with bacteria.
- Scaling and redness caused by the scratching.
- Small, rounded lumps (often on the penis and scrotum) that may remain for several weeks after scabies treatment.
The pimple-like irritations, burrows, or rash on the skin are typically found on the:
- Wrists
- Elbows
- Knees
- Penis
- Buttocks
- Breasts
- Shoulder blades
- Webbing between the fingers.
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