Scabies
What is Scabies?
Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by a tiny parasite (mite) called Sarcoptes scabiei that can live and multiply on skin. Scabies is passed between people by prolonged skin-to-skin contact. Scabies is extremely contagious and spreads rapidly in crowded conditions such as hospitals, child-care facilities, and other situations where people spend extended periods of time in close contact with each other. Although a typical infection includes only 10–20 mites, people are so sensitive to the mite that hundreds of itchy skin lesions are created. Without treatment, the condition will not usually improve.
