Scabies
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What Are Scabies?

Browse eMedTV's wide range of articles related to what are scabies? including topics such as scabies in pets, scabies diagnosis, and how do you get scabies?. Use the search box at the top-right corner of the page to find information about other health topics.

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Description of Articles in What Are Scabies?

Scabies is an infectious disease of the skin caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a microscopic mite. This section of the eMedTV library describes conditions in which scabies is spread and identifies common symptoms and treatment options for the infection.

An infestation with scabies causes itching, a skin rash, and redness, among other symptoms. This eMedTV resource discusses the role Sarcoptes scabiei mites play in directly causing the disease.

Norwegian scabies is a more severe form of the skin infestation cause by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. This eMedTV Web page explains who usually gets the disease, how it is spread, possible symptoms, and treatment options.

So how do you get scabies? As this eMedTV Web page explains, you get it through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with someone who is already infected. You can also get scabies by sharing clothes or linens with someone who is infected.

Symptoms of scabies usually begin slowly with a minor rash and itching that tends to be worse at night. This eMedTV article provides detailed information about these and other symptoms, such as pimple-like irritations and small rounded lumps.

A scabies rash is typically found on the wrists, knees, elbows, penis, or webbing between the fingers. This eMedTV Web page describes common characteristics seen in this rash, as well as how it differs in adults versus infants and the elderly.

This portion of the eMedTV archives explains how a skin scraping or biopsy may be used to make a scabies diagnosis. It also explains how a person can have the test come back negative but still have a scabies infestation.

Scabies treatment may include lotions containing permethrin or sulfur. This eMedTV article examines various aspects of treatment for this infestation, including the importance of washing clothes, bedding, and towels used by the infected person.

Scabies in pets (also known as mange) can be spread to humans. As this page of the eMedTV website explains, however, the mites that cause mange are different from those that infect humans. They may cause itching, but will not reproduce in people.