Scabies is a mite that infects the tissues of the skin. The mites can be spread from one person to another through physical contact, such as sharing towels, bedding or even hugging. The symptoms include severe itching, despite the size of the mite and the fact that very few actually infect the body, explains Merck Manuals, an online medical library. Treatment requires an oral medication to kill the mites and a topical solution to calm the physical symptoms of the infection.
Itching
The primary symptom of scabies is the intense itching of the skin. Patients often report worsened itching at night; this can be due to an individual being more relaxed, making it easier to notice the discomfort. The persistent itching can make sleeping difficult. The itching is thought to be caused by the body reacting to the infestation as it would to any other allergen. Antihistamine use has been shown to help block the discomfort of itching but this does not get rid of the mites.
Tracks
The mites burrow into the skin tissues, leaving behind red tracks and red rashes. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) describes these tracks as being pencil thin. Nearly any area of skin can be affected, except the face, states Merck. Common sites include the parts of the skin between the fingers and toes, the wrists, ankles, buttocks, nipples and male genitals. Frequent itching can lead to red and inflamed skin, making the tracks more difficult to see. The mites burrow and release larvae, which perpetuates the mite infestation.
Infants may develop small blisters that appear like pimples on the trunk, palms and soles, according to the UMM. Young children typically have tracks on the head, neck, shoulders, palms and soles. Older individuals are likely to notice the scabies tracks on the hands, wrists, genitals and abdomen.
Complications
Besides the itching and tracks, mites do not inflict much more damage to the human host. The host itself causes more damage by scratching the skin. Harsh scratching can cause more inflammation and even break the skin. Individuals with a weakened immune systems can experience a severe infestation. This is characterized by thick scabs covering the affected skin areas.
