Scabies
The main symptoms of scabies areintense itching and a rash inareas of the body where the miteshave burrowed.
The itching is often worse at night, when your skin is warmer.It may take four to six weeks before the itching starts because this is how long it takes for the body to react to mite droppings.
Symptoms will start within one to two days if you've had a scabiesinfection in the past. This is because your immune system will have learned to respond to a scabies infection.
The scabiesrash consists of tiny redspots. Scratching the rash may cause crusty sores to develop.
Burrow marks can be found anywhere on the body. They're short (1cm or less), wavy, silver-coloured lines on the skin, with a black dot at one end that can be seen with a magnifying glass.
In adults, burrow marks often appear in the following areas:
The rash usually affects the whole body, apart from the head.The following areas can be particularly affected:
Elderly people, young children and those with a low immune system (immunocompromised) may also develop a rash on their head and neck.
Men usually have one or more very itchy, lumpy, 3 to 10mm spots on the skin of the genitals (on the penisand scrotum).
In infants and young children, burrow marks tend to appear in differentplaces on their body, including onthe:
Scabies mites leave small red blotches and silver-coloured lines on the skin. These marks are caused by the mites burrowing into the skin.
In infants with scabies, blisters and pustules (small blisters that contain pus) may develop onthe soles of the feet and palms of the hands.
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.
The main symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a rash in areas of the body where mites have burrowed.
Scabies is a skin condition caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei.
Your GP will usually be able to diagnose scabies from the appearance of your skin and by looking for burrow marks made by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite.
See your GP immediately if you have scabies and haven't had a previous infection. Delaying treatment places other people at risk.
A secondary infection and crusted scabies are two possible complications of scabies.