If you’ve ever experienced an itchy skin rash that just won’t go away, it might be scabies.

Scabies is an infestation of microscopic mites called Sarcoptes scabiei that burrow into the skin and lay eggs, causing scabies symptoms like intense itching and red, bumpy skin rash.

What Are The Symptoms Of Scabies?

The most common symptoms of scabies are:.

Intense itching that gets worse at night
A pimple-like skin rash with small blisters or sores
Thick, grayish-white skin tracks created by the mites burrowing under the skin
Sores caused by scratching the itchy rash

What Causes Scabies?

Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin and lay eggs. The mites are spread from person to person through close contact, like hugging or sexual contact. Scabies can also be spread through sharing clothing, towels, or bedding.

How Is Scabies Diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose scabies by looking at the rash and seeing the burrows under your skin with a magnifying glass. They may also take a skin scraping and look at it under a microscope to see if there are scabies mites or eggs present.

What Is The Treatment For Scabies?

Scabies is treated with prescription medicines that kill the mites. Permethrin cream or lotion is a common treatment for scabies. You apply it all over your body from the neck down, leave it on for 8-14 hours, then wash it off.

You may need to repeat the treatment in a week. If the itching is severe, your doctor may also prescribe oral antihistamines or steroid creams to ease the symptoms.

How To Prevent Scabies?

Scabies is a highly contagious skin infection, and it is important to take measures to avoid the infection. Here are a few precautions to take:.

Do not share clothing, bedding, or towels with anyone who has scabies.
Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and dry them on high heat.
Clean your home thoroughly, paying special attention to items that may come into close contact with the skin, like combs, brushes, and furniture.
Avoid close contact with anyone who has scabies until they have been treated and are no longer contagious.

Who Is Susceptible To Scabies?

Anyone can get scabies, but it is more common in:.

People who live in crowded or unclean living conditions
Children who attend daycare or school
Sexually active adults
People with weakened immune systems

When To See A Doctor?

If you have symptoms of scabies, like intense itching and a rash, it’s important to see a doctor. Scabies can be easily treated with prescription medicines, but the longer you wait to seek treatment, the more severe your symptoms may become.

Your doctor can diagnose scabies and provide the appropriate treatment to stop the infestation and alleviate your symptoms.

The Bottom Line:

Scabies is a contagious skin infection caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin and lay eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a red, bumpy skin rash.

Scabies can be easily treated with prescription medicines like permethrin cream, but it is important to take measures to prevent the infection from spreading.