Which parasite causes scabies?
Show answer
The itch mite
It is barely visible to the naked eye.
๐ก Did you know? The females dig tunnels into the skin.
7 questions ยท Health & Medicine
Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused not by a virus or bacterium but by a tiny parasite: the itch mite. The female mites dig fine tunnels into the top layer of skin, lay their eggs there and thereby trigger an allergic reaction. The result is a tormenting itch that typically worsens at night in the warmth of the bed, along with a fine rash, often between the fingers, on the wrists or in other skin folds. Scabies is transmitted through longer, close skin-to-skin contact; a brief handshake is usually not enough. Contrary to a stubborn prejudice, scabies is not a sign of poor hygiene: it can affect anyone. Precisely where many people live closely together, such as in care homes, kindergartens or shared accommodation, outbreaks occur again and again. Scabies can be treated well, usually with special creams or lotions to apply, in some cases also with tablets; it is important that close contacts receive treatment too and that bedding and clothing are cleaned, so that no one is reinfected.
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The itch mite
It is barely visible to the naked eye.
๐ก Did you know? The females dig tunnels into the skin.
Severe itching
It typically worsens at night.
๐ก Did you know? A fine rash adds to it.
By close skin contact
A brief handshake is usually not enough.
๐ก Did you know? Longer, close contact is needed.
No
It can affect anyone.
๐ก Did you know? The prejudice persists stubbornly nonetheless.
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