scabies

Also known as Sarcoptic itch, infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei, infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, Manqa

AI overview

Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by a microscopic mite that burrows into the skin, typically causing severe itching and a pimple-like rash. It spreads easily in crowded environments like schools and hospitals, making it a notable public health concern.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Medical condition (new).caption: Magnified view of a burrowing trail of the scabies mite. The scaly patch on the left was caused by scratching and marks the mite's entry point into the skin. The mite has burrowed to the top-right, where it can be seen as a dark spot at the end.
Medical condition (new).field: Infectious disease, dermatology
Medical condition (new).symptoms: itchiness, pimple-like rash
Medical condition (new).onset: 2–6 weeks (first infection), ~1 day (subsequent infections)
Medical condition (new).causes: Sarcoptes scabiei mite spread by close contact
Medical condition (new).risks: Crowded living conditions (child care facilities, group homes, prisons), lack of access to water, wearing second hand clothing
Medical condition (new).diagnosis: Based on symptoms
Medical condition (new).differential: seborrheic dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, pediculosis, atopic dermatitis
Medical condition (new).medication: permethrin, crotamiton, lindane, ivermectin
Medical condition (new).frequency: 204 million / 2.8% (2015)
Medical condition (new).name: Scabies
Medical condition (new).synonyms: Seven-year itch
Medical condition (new).image: Scabies-burrow.jpg

via Wikipedia infobox

Research

6,066 papers

Scabies: update on treatment and efforts for prevention and control in highly endemic settings.ReviewJournal of infection in developing countries · 2022Widaty S, Miranda E, Cornain EF et al.DOI: 10.3855/jidc.15222
Scabies Itch.ReviewDermatologic clinics · 2018Jannic A, Bernigaud C, Brenaut E et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2018.02.009
Scabies: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Update.ReviewJournal of cutaneous medicine and surgery · 2021Richards RNDOI: 10.1177/1203475420960446
Scabies.ReviewAmerican family physician · 1992Sterling GB, Janniger CK, Kihiczak G et al.
Management of scabies.ReviewSingapore medical journal · 2019Vasanwala FF, Ong CY, Aw CWD et al.DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2019058
The current available diagnostic tools and treatments of scabies and scabies variants: An updated narrative review.ReviewMedicine · 2023Al-Dabbagh J, Younis R, Ismail NDOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000033805
Scabies: A Neglected Global Disease.ReviewCurrent pediatric reviews · 2020Leung AKC, Lam JM, Leong KFDOI: 10.2174/1573396315666190717114131
Scabies vaccines: where we stand and challenges ahead.ReviewParasitology research · 2024Sharaf MSDOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08298-8

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Image: Sarcoptes scabei 2.jpg

Show 7 more facts

Commons gallery: Scabies
Commons category: Scabies
NCI Thesaurus ID: C34998
ICPC 2 ID: S72
exact match: purl.obolibrary.org/obo/DOID_8295
ICD-9-CM: 133.0
native label: Manqa

Sources (10)

via Wikidata · CC0

~23 min read

Article

25 sections

Contents

Signs and symptoms
Itching
Rash
Crusted scabies
Cause
Scabies mite
Transmission
Pathophysiology
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Prevention of passing on scabies to other people
Management
Treatment
Permethrin
Ivermectin
Others
Communities
Epidemiology
History
Scabies in animals
Society and culture
Research
References
Further reading
External links

Scabies (, ; also sometimes known as the seven-year itch) is a contagious human skin infestation by the tiny (0.2–0.45 mm) mite Sarcoptes scabiei, variety hominis. The word is from . It is a particular public health problem in crowded settings such as care homes, schools, refugee camps, prisons, and hospitals. The most common symptoms are severe itchiness and a pimple-like rash. Occasionally, tiny burrows may appear on the skin from eggs that are about to hatch. In a first-ever infection, the infected person usually develops symptoms within two to six weeks. During a second infection, symptoms may begin within 24 hours. These symptoms can be present across most of the body or just in certain areas such as the wrists, between fingers, or along the waistline. The head may be affected, but this is typically only in young children. The itch is often worse at night. Scratching may cause skin breakdown and an additional bacterial infection in the skin.

Various names have been given to this condition and the name 'seven year itch' has been recorded in many documents from the 1800s. Although the 1952 play The Seven Year Itch and modern treatment methods have generally changed this name to refer to human relationships, the condition was historically very difficult to treat.