These mites are very small, in fact invisible to the human eye. These mites bury themselves in the very topmost layer of the human skin and it is there that they lay new eggs.

An infestation of these mites burrowing into the skin produces extremely intense itching which is caused by an allergic reaction that the body has to the burrowing process. A person infested can also develop blisters as well as pustules on palms of the hands and soles of the feet but these blisters most commonly occur on babies or young children.

Infections of Scabies occur globally and are consider quite common. It has been estimated by scientists and researchers that approximately 300 million cases of Scabies occur every year. Infections can occur in both women and men and covers all socioeconomic classes as well as every ethnic group.

Infections of Scabies are very contagious and epidemics of Scabies spread most easily in extremely crowded areas where there is a lot of close contact such as in prisons, daycare centers, nursing homes, hospitals as well as long-term care services. And in the United States, Scabies frequently occurs in the ever growing population of homeless people. Scabies is also spread by sexual contact so it is also considered as a sexual transmitted disease.

A severe infestation of scabies is referred to as Crusted Scabies because of the thick skin crusted over and containing large numbers of scabies mites as well as eggs. They are so numerous in some patients that they can reach up to two million in number.

Scabies is also known by other names such as Itch Mite, Mange, the 7-Year Itch and also Norwegian Scabies.

It is important that anyone who has an infection of Scabies see a doctor for treatment.