Scabies, a common itchy skin condition, is caused by a tiny mite, the Sarcoptes scabiei, that burrows into the top layer of the body's skin to lay eggs. This contagious disease typically spreads by skin-to-skin or sexual contact with an infected person, reports the American Academy of Family Physicians. Scabies appears as a rash and small bumps or blisters on the skin. Various topical medications are used to treat this condition.
Appearance
Scabies first appears as a small itchy bump, which may be filled with pus, or a blister that breaks when scratched, reports the American Academy of Family Physicians. The burrows made by the tiny mites in the skin appear as pencil-like lines or short, wavy lines. They may be reddish or dark, explains the American Academy of Family Physicians. Once a person has scratched and dug at the itchy sites, sores appear on the skin, explains the National Institutes of Health. The skin becomes thick and scabbed, often with scratch marks showing.
Common Signs in Children
Children with scabies often develop a red rash with bumps, reports the American Academy of Family Physicians. The condition tends to be widespread in babies, who may have pimples all over their midsection and blisters on the soles of their feet and palms, explains the National Institutes of Health. When children scratch the itchy areas, they develop sores that can become infected with bacteria, reports the American Family Physician.
Body Areas in Young Children
Scabies may appear anywhere on the body, however, younger children typically have the mites in their scalp, face and neck, reports MayoClinic.com. They also tend to get the condition on their palms or soles of the feet.
Location in Adults and Older Children
In older children and adults, scabies appears on the genitals and abdomen, reports MayoClinic.com. It also often shows up on the hands, between the fingers and on the insides of the wrists. In adults, scabies also often appears around the breasts and waist and on the buttocks. It may also appear on the shoulder blades, inner elbow and knees.
Vulnerable Populations
Scabies spreads easily in crowded conditions and places where people are in close contact, reports the American Academy of Family Physicians. Thus, kids, patients, and caregivers in daycare centers or nursing homes have a higher risk for getting it, reports Aetna InteliHealth. Workers and inmates in prisons are also vulnerable to scabies. People with many sex partners also have a higher risk.
