What is Scabies? - Introduction

What is scabies?

Scabies is a disease condition caused by infestation of parasitical mites called Sarcoptes scabiei which produce intense itching in the infected person.

The skin disease can cause a condition which is clearly debilitating and causes severe depression and discomfort if untreated. It spreads very quickly to all parts of the body and is accompanied by a red rash which is unsightly and painful. It also is very contagious and spreads from person to person.

The parasite that causes scabies is miniscule and is visible only when examined under a microscope or magnifying glass. Its physical characteristics differentiate it from insects, in that it has eight legs, unlike insects which have six.

The length of each mite is approximately one third of a millimetre and the diameter is about one tenth of a millimetre. Though it is physically quite small in structure, this organism causes a great deal of irritation to the skin by burrowing into the top surface of the epidermis and causes severe itching therein, especially at night.

The scabies causing parasite can be viable by attaching itself to a host, and has a lifespan of approximately 24 – 36 hours. It is extremely sensitive to the environment and would die without a host body to support it.

What is scabies’ usual mode of spread?

The scabies condition is very contagious and it can spread very quickly and easily from one person to another person. This can take place via skin contact, or by sharing of items, such as clothing or other household articles like bed linen, pillows, towels, etc.

Even without actual physical contact, just being in the vicinity of an infected person can be enough to catch the disease, although this is rare.

However, the most common method of transmission of scabies is actually via sexual contact - the demographic of population that is most susceptible to scabies is the young population.

The disease can also spread from mother to child, or contact between infected and non-infected person via hugging or embracing, etc.

For more information on ‘what is scabies’, do read the other related scabies articles.

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Some Related Scabies Pages

What is Scabies? - Introduction

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Symptoms of Scabies - Signs & Diagnosis

Treating Scabies using Medications - For Information

Home Remedy for Scabies - Natural Treatment and Cures