Scabies

• Scabies is a skin infection caused by mites 
• Scabies is highly contagious and can also spread in the early stages when you don’t experience any symptoms
• Scabies treatment is very effective and can consist of creams or oral medication

Scabies is a common condition caused by an infection with mites. It can cause an itchy rash, which can be treated with creams or oral medication. If left untreated, a scabies rash can last for a very long time, and you may also experience severe complications. In this guide by Ada’s medical team, you’ll find more information about scabies, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options. 

Scabies is a skin condition that affects about 200 million people worldwide at some point in their lives. It is an infestation of tiny mites that burrow into the skin and lay eggs. This leads to the development of scabies symptoms such as an itchy rash. Scabies can happen to anyone, but it mostly affects people in tropical areas where many people are living closely together without many resources. 1 2

The most common symptom which you may experience is a typical scabies rash which can be quite severe. A scabies rash is very itchy and can consist of lines and bumps which can occur anywhere on the body. Commonly affected areas are the space between the fingers, wrists, arms, legs, genitalia, and the scalp. The bumps can become inflamed and lead to skin sores. 1

People with compromised immune systems can develop a worse form of scabies which can be life-threatening. This is a severe infection called crusted scabies. This type of scabies can look different, as it can cause dry, scaly areas on the skin. This type of scabies rash can occur without the itchy sensation.

Scabies are caused by mites. These mites burrow themselves into the top layer of your skin where they lay eggs. After 4 to 6 weeks, you develop an allergic reaction to the presence of the mites and their feces in your skin. This causes the symptoms of scabies. Scabies is very contagious, so after coming into contact with an infected person, the mites can easily transfer onto your skin. 1

Scabies can be identified by your healthcare provider by having a look at your skin and listening to the symptoms you’re experiencing. Sometimes a sample of your skin will be collected and placed under a microscope to detect traces of the mites. 1

Once you’ve come into contact with an infected person, the mites burrow themselves in the top layer of your skin and lay their eggs. After 3 to 4 days these eggs hatch, and after 1 to 2 weeks the mites are fully grown. It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the body to develop an allergic reaction to the presence of the mites. Once scabies treatment is started, the mites die quite quickly and the itchy rash usually goes away after 2 weeks. Without treatment, however, the symptoms of scabies can persist for years. 1 3

Scabies medication can exterminate the mites and relieve the symptoms of scabies. Most cases of scabies are treated with creams which need to be applied to the entire body. These creams should be applied for as long as your healthcare provider recommends, as new mites may still hatch from eggs that were still present in the skin. All members of the same household should be treated, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms at the time. 1 3

In severe cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe you with Ivermectin, which is an oral medication for scabies. 

In order to prevent the spread of scabies, it’s important to know that the mites causing scabies can survive for up to 2-3 days away from human skin. This means that you can get infected by coming into contact with the skin of an infected person, but also through contact with objects or clothing that the infected person touched during the past 2-3 days. In order to prevent scabies, you can: 1 3

• Avoid skin-to-skin contact with infected people
• Wash and dry any clothing that has come into contact with an infected person on high temperature
• Place items used by the infected person that can’t be washed in a plastic bag for at least 3 days in order to eliminate the mites
• Clean objects and rooms where an infected person has been after treatment 

If you do get scabies, then it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible and to also treat other members of the same household in order to prevent the spread of the mites that cause scabies. 1

Untreated scabies can lead to a number of complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Some possible complications are: 1 3

• Skin sores
• Bloodstream infections
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis)
• Impetigo
• Deterioration of eczema or psoriasis

Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the presence of mites in the skin. This condition is characterized by a rash that can be very itchy. With the appropriate treatment using topical creams or oral medication, the mites can be exterminated after which the itchy rash goes away too. 

• Itch
• Mange
• Seven-year itch

Q: How do you get scabies? 
A: You can get scabies by coming into contact with a person who is infected, or by touching objects that the infected person has touched. The mites that cause scabies can stay alive on objects for 2 to 3 days. 

Q: What does scabies look like on the skin? 
A: Scabies causes a rash that can be linear, or that can look like bumps on the skin. This rash usually occurs between the fingers, or on the arms, legs, genitalia, or scalp. 

Q: How to know if you have scabies? 
A: Your healthcare provider can provide you with a diagnosis by listening to your symptoms and performing a physical examination. Sometimes, a sample of your skin can also be checked for traces of the mites that cause scabies. 

Q: How do you get scabies without human contact? 
A: The mites that cause scabies can survive away from human skin for 2 to 3 days. This means that you can also get infected by touching objects that were used by an infected person, such as towels or clothing. 

Q: How to treat scabies at home? 
A: You can treat scabies at home with various scabies treatments that your healthcare provider can prescribe you with. In most cases, this will be a topical cream, although more severe cases may require oral medication.