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Scabies

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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4 of 7 questions with answers

Which parasite causes scabies?

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The itch mite

It is barely visible to the naked eye.

๐Ÿ’ก Did you know? The females dig tunnels into the skin.

Which main symptom marks scabies?

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Severe itching

It typically worsens at night.

๐Ÿ’ก Did you know? A fine rash adds to it.

How is scabies transmitted?

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By close skin contact

A brief handshake is usually not enough.

๐Ÿ’ก Did you know? Longer, close contact is needed.

Is scabies a sign of poor hygiene?

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No

It can affect anyone.

๐Ÿ’ก Did you know? The prejudice persists stubbornly nonetheless.

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