Scabies might sound scary, but it’s actually a common skin condition that many people deal with every year. Caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin, scabies leads to itching and rashes that can become very uncomfortable. The good news is, it’s completely treatable with the right medication and a bit of care. Let’s break down what scabies is, how it spreads, what the symptoms are, and what you can do if you or someone close to you gets it.
What Is Scabies and How Does It Spread?
Scabies happens when a microscopic mite called Sarcoptes scabiei gets under your skin. These mites aren’t visible to the eye, but they can cause a lot of discomfort. The female mite digs into the top layer of skin to lay her eggs, which triggers an allergic reaction from the body—this is what causes the intense itching and rash (CDC, 2020).
Scabies spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, which is why it’s common in families, daycares, or crowded living spaces. It can also spread through sharing clothes, towels, or bedding, though that’s less common. If you’ve never had scabies before, it may take a few weeks for symptoms to appear, but if you’ve had it before, signs may show up much quicker (WHO, 2023).
What Does Scabies Look and Feel Like?
The most obvious symptom of scabies is strong itching, especially at night when your body is warm. Along with the itch, small red bumps or blisters might pop up, often in lines or tracks. These are the places where the mites have burrowed.
The rash usually appears in skin folds—like between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, waistline, or around private areas. In babies and young children, it can also show up on the face, scalp, and even the soles of the feet (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
In rare cases, especially in people with weak immune systems, a severe form called crusted scabies can occur. This form causes thick, crusty patches of skin full of mites and is much more contagious.
How Do You Know If You Have It?
Doctors can usually spot scabies just by looking at your skin and asking about your symptoms. Sometimes, they might take a small skin scraping to check under a microscope, just to confirm that mites or eggs are present (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
What’s the Treatment Like?
Scabies won’t go away on its own, but luckily, treatment is simple. Doctors usually prescribe a cream like permethrin (5%), which you apply all over your body from the neck down. You leave it on overnight (about 8 to 14 hours) and then wash it off.
In more serious cases, or if the cream doesn’t work, there are other options like ivermectin, which is taken as a pill. Other lotions like crotamiton or benzyl benzoate might also be recommended, depending on the situation (WHO, 2023).
Everyone who has been in close contact with the infected person should get treated at the same time—even if they don’t have symptoms yet. That helps prevent the mites from spreading again.
Also, make sure to wash all clothes, towels, and bedding that the person used in the last few days. Use hot water and a high dryer setting. Items that can’t be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least three days (CDC, 2020).
The Itch Might Linger
Even after the mites are gone, the itching can stick around for a few weeks. That doesn’t mean the treatment didn’t work—it just takes time for the body to calm down. Antihistamines or steroid creams can help with the leftover itch. But if new spots or burrows show up after a few weeks, it’s time to check back with the doctor.
How to Avoid Scabies
Prevention mostly comes down to avoiding skin-to-skin contact with someone who has scabies until they’ve been treated. Don’t share clothing or bedding with anyone who’s infected. In group living places, like dorms or nursing homes, catching and treating scabies early helps prevent an outbreak (WHO, 2023).
Scabies might be annoying and uncomfortable, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a very common condition and can happen to anyone. What matters most is catching it early, following through with treatment, and making sure everyone who might be affected gets checked. With a little patience and proper care, you’ll be itch-free in no time.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Parasites – Scabies. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/
- Mayo Clinic. (2022). Scabies: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scabies/symptoms-causes/
- World Health Organization. (2023). Scabies. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/scabies
