Symptoms of Scabies

Scabies is an infection of the skin caused by a variety of mites. In humans, the mite is called Sarcoptes scabiei and they burrow themselves into the top layer of skin.
What are the symptoms of scabies?
Information on symptoms is listed below and covers Scabies in animals as well.

Symptoms of Scabies in Adults

Scabies usually causes a rash on the skin made up of small red bumps as well as blisters and affects very specific areas on the body. Scabies can be found in the webs between a person’s fingers, wrists as well and the backs of elbows, knees, and around the waist. They are also found on the sides and backs of feet, nipples, genital areas as well as the buttocks. The bumps are called papules and may contain bloody crusts. In healthy adults who have hundreds of bumps and pimples, there really are no more than 15-20 live mites.

The mites burrow into the skin and these burrows are referred to as tunnels and are small threadlike raised areas which often appear as very thin gray, red or brown lines in the affected area.

A person may have scabies for a couple of months before the main symptoms of intense itching starts. This itching is terrible and is worse during the night. The longer the infestation lasts the worse the itching becomes making it impossible to sleep at night.

Left untreated, a person can develop what is known as Crusted Scabies. The body becomes covered with a dry, thick crusted rash. This crusted rash can contain millions of mites. Crusted Scabies is the more contagious of Scabies and the hardest to treat.

The scratching of the skin because of the intense itching can lead to sores on the skin and can be infected with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or beta-hemolytic streptococci. Bacterial infections of the skin often lead to inflammation of the kidneys which is know as post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Symptoms of Scabies in Babies and Young Children

In babies and young children, Scabies are much the same as in adults except they can affect the entire body, especially the palms of the hands, bottom of the feet, head and scalp. This occurs mostly in children younger than 2 years old. The baby or child will experience intense itching especially at night so there will be very little sleep in the house where an infected baby or child lives.To prevent complications, the baby or child should be taken to a doctor as quickly as possible.

Symptoms of Scabies in Dogs

Scabies in dogs is known as Canine Scabies caused by mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. It is also know as Scarcoptc Mange. The mites burrow into the skin of otherwise healthy dogs and puppies, creating a variety of problems with the skin. The most common problems are hair loss and intense itching. With dogs, the mites tend to live on areas of the skin which have less hair. As the infection gets worse, it will spread over the entire body of the dog. The intense itching and scratching can cause sores and infections on the skin. A trip to a vet is necessary and with medication and lotion, scabies is very easy to treat.

Symptoms of Scabies in Cats

Feline Scabies is caused by a mite called Notoedres cati and this mite affects cats in much the same way the Scarcoptc Mange mite affects dogs. The symptoms often start with hair loss and itching in or on the ears. It then spreads to the face, neck and eyelids. There is intense itching and the cat will be miserable. As with a dog, a trip to the vet is necessary and with medication and lotion, scabies is easy to treat.

Scabies affects adults as well as babies and children and can also affect your pets. In all versions the main symptom is a rash with intense itching. Whether you, your child or your pet are infested, a trip to the doctor or vet is necessary to gain control over this infection.