Scabies is a type of skin infection spread by a parasite which is called Sarcoptes Scabiei. The mites are microscopic organisms and their presence on a human being may be very difficult to reveal. It is a very contagious disease and can be easily acquired through physical contact with infected people or contaminated objects. Due to its contagious character, scabies can cause serious epidemics in overcrowded schools, kindergartens, orphanages and nursing homes. So as to prevent the spread of this disease, doctors recommend that people with the condition to avoid any contact with others and because scabies mites can live for up to a week without a host, personal items including towels, clothing and bed linens among others must be thoroughly washed in hot water to prevent the spread and even a second infestation.

It is also important to note that as an extra precaution measure, all persons who have come into contact with a patient diagnosed with scabies need to follow an appropriate medical treatment even if they lack any signs of contamination. The scabies incubation period is between 1 and 2 weeks when most symptoms occur. After the mites contaminate the skin, the first symptoms are rash, a persistent itch and skin inflammation.

The areas of the body that are commonly affected are the sides of the fingers, armpits, buttocks, wrists, knees, webs between fingers and toes, elbows and feet. The symptoms of scabies are: grayish or white lines or tracks that zigzag on the surface of the skin, intense itching especially after bath or at night, signs of skin redness, swelling and pus around the mites burrows. The intense itching is caused by a local allergic reaction to the mite’s saliva and it occurs or it worsens at night when the mites are feeding.

Scabies may be diagnosed clinically in geographical areas where it is common, when lesions in two typical spots presents along with either diffuse itching or itchiness of another household member. The major sign of scabies is the burrows made by the mites within the skin. In order to detect the burrows, the suspected area is rubbed with fountain pen ink or a topical tetracycline solution that glows under a special light. The skin is then wiped with an alcohol pad and if the scabies infection is there, the characteristic ‘S’ pattern or the zigzag of the burrow will appear across the skin. However the interpreting the burrows may be difficult as they are scarce.

Another diagnosis may be carried out by finding either eggs and fecal pellets or the scabies mites themselves. The test involves scraping the suspected area and mounting the sample in potassium hydroxide which is then examined under a microscope.

Dermoscopy may also be used to examine the skin directly for scabies infection.