Scabies is a condition of very itchy skin caused by tiny mites that burrow into your skin and is caused by an allergic reaction to the mites. Scabies is very contagious, spread from person to person, and can affect people of all ages and from all incomes, social levels, and living situations. With treatment, the scabies mites die, and the itching goes away over a period of days to weeks. Without treatment, the mites continue to reproduce under the skin, causing more sores and itching.

How is Scabies spread?
Scabies mites spread from person to person by close contact, such as sleeping in the same bed or touching someone’s skin, and can be spread by sharing towels, clothing, and other personal items.

What are the symptoms of Scabies?
Scabies has two main symptoms:

• Severe itching that is usually worse at night, this itching seems to be much more pronounced in small children and older adults
• A rash with tiny blisters or sores.

Symptoms are more likely to occur:

The first time you have Scabies it may take several weeks to see the symptoms, however, the more you have scabies the quicker you see the symptoms.

• Between the fingers and on the palm side of the wrists
• On the outside surfaces of the elbows and in the armpits
• Around the waistline and navel
• On the buttocks
• Around the nipples
• On the genitals