Recognizing And Treating Scabies

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Scabies...the word sounds disgusting to many but it is a real health problem that can impact anyone.

The most common sign of scabies is intense itching, especially at night.

The most common sites are the webs between the fingers, belt line and the armpits.

Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite sarcoptes scabiei. The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The scabies mite usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies.

Anyone who is diagnosed with scabies, as well as contacts who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person, should be treated. We have effective medications to treat it.