Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsScabies FeaturesOther SymptomsCausesDiagnosisSimilar ConditionsTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Scabies Features
Other Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Similar Conditions
Treatment
Prevention
Scabies commonly presents as a red rash with small bumps that often form a line. Other symptoms of scabies include itching, blistering, and scaling.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),scabiesaffects over 200 million people in the world at any one time. The condition is more common in young children and older adults, especially in poor communities that lack healthcare resources.
In this article, you’ll find pictures of scabies rashes to help you identify it. It will also cover the symptoms and causes of scabies and how to prevent and treat it.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
What Does Scabies Look Like?
A scabies rash can look slightly different from person to person but has some common features.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoScabies rash on hand.Raimo Suhonen /DermNet/ CC BY-NC-ND
Raimo Suhonen /DermNet/ CC BY-NC-ND
Itch
Most people will experience itching that can be severe and make it tough to sleep at night. Itching may be so bad scratching breaks the skin and makes the skin appear redder and more inflamed.
Burrows
Scabies mites are tiny parasites. You can’t see mites without a microscope, but you can spot the burrows they create under the skin’s surface. These minute tunnels may appear like lines on the surface of your skin. They sometimes have a grayish tint or vary in color from your natural skin tone.
Generalized Rash
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
While scabies burrow under the skin, they also irritate it, causing a red rash that can mimic other types of skin irritation. In some people, particularly young children, a scabies rash may involve pus-filled bumps.
Scabies Rash Location
However, you can develop a scabies rash in other areas. You can also have scabies in multiple areas.
How do you know it’s scabies? While a rash with burrows is pretty distinct and usually clinches a diagnosis, other signs of a scabies mite infestation include:
Crusted skin can happen if you scratch, break open the skin, and a scab forms. Crusting is also a sign ofcrusted scabies, a severe form of scabies infestation that involves millions instead of a handful of mites. People with crusted scabies may also have open sores.
Symptoms of Scabies
The human itch mite causes scabies rash. You can get scabies via skin-to-skin contact with someone who has scabies. While less common, you can also contract scabies from sharing towels, clothing, or bedding with someone who has scabies.You cannot get scabies from pets.
Crusted scabies occurs in people with a weakened immune system. This can allow the mites to proliferate without control. You’re at higher risk for crusted scabies if you:
Is Scabies Contagious?Yes. This skin condition is highly contagious but requires skin-to-skin contact. The crusted form of scabies is even more contagious. This is because scabies mites can live for several days apart from the human body, and those attached to crusted and shredded pieces of skin may live even longer.
Is Scabies Contagious?
Yes. This skin condition is highly contagious but requires skin-to-skin contact. The crusted form of scabies is even more contagious. This is because scabies mites can live for several days apart from the human body, and those attached to crusted and shredded pieces of skin may live even longer.
Diagnosing Scabies
When to See a Healthcare ProviderThere’s no at-home test for scabies. If you think you have scabies or some other itchy skin condition, see a healthcare provider right away. If it is scabies, you’ll need a prescription treatment.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
There’s no at-home test for scabies. If you think you have scabies or some other itchy skin condition, see a healthcare provider right away. If it is scabies, you’ll need a prescription treatment.
How Scabies Is Diagnosed
What Can Be Mistaken for Scabies?
You need a prescription scabicide to treat scabies rash. These are prescription lotions or creams that are applied to the skin. You can’t treat it with at-home or over-the-counter (OTC) remedies.
Some people need multiple rounds of treatment to kill the mites and their eggs, especially those with crusted scabies. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe medications to help with symptoms like itching or infection due to constant scratching.
In addition to receiving medical treatment, you will also need to take steps to rid your clothing, linens, upholstery, and carpets of the mites to prevent re-infestation.
How Scabies Is Treated
Treating scabies rash is an important part of preventing the spread of these mites. If you don’t have a rash, you can’t transmit it to someone else.
If you or someone else in your household has a scabies infestation, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also recommends the following:
How to Prevent Scabies
Summary
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Scabies.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies frequently asked questions (FAQs).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scabies: signs and symptoms.Chandler DJ, et al.A review of scabies: an infestation more than skin deep.Dermatology. 2019;235:79-90. doi:10.1159/000495290American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: who gets and causes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).Hardy M, Engelman D, Steer A.Scabies: A clinical update.Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(5):264-268.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: tips for managing.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Scabies.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies frequently asked questions (FAQs).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scabies: signs and symptoms.Chandler DJ, et al.A review of scabies: an infestation more than skin deep.Dermatology. 2019;235:79-90. doi:10.1159/000495290American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: who gets and causes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).Hardy M, Engelman D, Steer A.Scabies: A clinical update.Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(5):264-268.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: tips for managing.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
World Health Organization.Scabies.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies frequently asked questions (FAQs).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scabies: signs and symptoms.Chandler DJ, et al.A review of scabies: an infestation more than skin deep.Dermatology. 2019;235:79-90. doi:10.1159/000495290American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: who gets and causes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).Hardy M, Engelman D, Steer A.Scabies: A clinical update.Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(5):264-268.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: tips for managing.
World Health Organization.Scabies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies frequently asked questions (FAQs).
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scabies: signs and symptoms.
Chandler DJ, et al.A review of scabies: an infestation more than skin deep.Dermatology. 2019;235:79-90. doi:10.1159/000495290
American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: who gets and causes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Hardy M, Engelman D, Steer A.Scabies: A clinical update.Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(5):264-268.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: diagnosis and treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: tips for managing.
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