Scabies

What Are Scabies?

They are an itchy rash caused by a little mite that burrows in the skin surface. The human scabies mite’s scientific name is Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis.

How Do You Get Scabies?

They are nearly always acquired by skin-to-skin contact with someone else with scabies. The contact may be quite brief such as holding hands. Frequently it is acquired from children, and sometimes it is sexually transmitted. Occasionally it is acquired via bedding or furnishings, as the mite can survive for a few days off its human host.

It’s not due to poor hygiene. Nor is it due to animal mites, which do not infest humans. However, animal mites can be responsible for bites on exposed sites, usually the forearms.

Typically, an affected host is infested by about 10-12 adult mites. After mating, the male dies. The female mites burrow into the outside layers of the skin where she lays up to 3 eggs each day for her lifetime of one to two months. The development from egg to adult scabies mite requires 10 to 14 days.

What Are The Symptoms and Signs of Scabies?

  • Itch – The itching appears a few days after infestation
  • Burrows – Burrows appear as tiny grey irregular tracks
  • Generalized rash – A rash appears as tiny red intensely itchy bumps on the limbs and trunk
  • Nodules – Itchy lumps or nodules in the armpits and groins or along the shaft of the penis are very suggestive of them
  • Acropustulosis – Blisters and pustules on the palms and soles are characteristic in infants.
  • Secondary infection – Impetigo commonly complicates scabies and results in crusting patches and scratched pustules. They only rarely affect the face and scalp, and this most often occurs in young babies and bed-bound elderly patients.

Schedule an appointment with one of our medical providers to see which treatment is best for you.

In your own words

Patient Testimonials

Anderson Ln.

The staff is extremely attentive and professional. And Courtney is the best you’ll ever meet. Very knowledgeable, professional and caring.

- G.J.
34th & West

Shareen Coover is the practitioner I saw and she is absolutely wonderful. Her bedside manner is so lovely and she is extremely thorough when I go for my annual skin check I highly recommend this practice.

- L.M.
Anderson Ln.

Courtney Scarmado was so helpful, informative, and empathetic. The entire staff were friendly and supportive. I would definitely recommend!

- L.H.
34th & West

I’ve been seeing Dr. Hendrix for some time now and find him engaging, prompt, and highly knowledgeable about skin conditions. As someone who has a history of skin cancer, i feel fully confident in his expertise.

- S.R.
Anderson Ln.

I’m happy to say that Dr. Simi Cadmus and PA Courtney Scamardo are continuing Dr. Katherine Farady’s high standards of care and service. Good dermatologists are hard to find; I strongly recommend this entire practice.

- B.E.
Anderson Ln.

My appointment date was just 2 days after I called to schedule. Accessing the building was very convenient. The staff was uniformly cheerful and positive. My provider, Courtney Scamardo, PA – C,, was very knowledgeable and encouraging. She spent a lot of time me. I never felt rushed.

- P.B.