Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Symptoms of Scabies

The symptoms of scabies begin to appear about 2 to 6 weeks after infestation. However, if a person is re-infested after a previous experience of scabies, then the symptoms can appear in a few hours because the body is already sensitised to the mites. 

• The mites’ burrows can be seen as thin, light brown or silvery, wavy lines. They usually appear on the wrists, elbows, or genitals, or between the fingers. Burrows can be between 2mm and 15mm long, and it is sometimes possible to see a dark speck at one end (the mite). Burrows can be hard to find because they are easily destroyed or distorted by scratching.
• Widespread itching will be experienced, particularly at night, as the infested person develops an allergic reaction to the mites, their eggs and their faeces.
• A rash of raised, pinkish-red spots will appear, most commonly on the inner thigh, underarms, buttocks and genitals, and around the belly button.

Excessive scratching can cause a bacterial infection such as impetigo, which may make symptoms worse.

In infants and children, other parts of the body are sometimes affected, including the face, scalp, palms, and soles of the feet.

• SARSScabiesScarlet feverScarsSchizophreniaSciaticaScoliosisScurvySeasonal affective disorderSecond opinionSelf-injurySeptic shockSexual health clinicsSexually transmitted infectionsShinglesShort-sightednessSick building syndromeSickle-cell anaemiaSinusitisSjogren's syndromeSlapped cheek syndromeSleep apnoeaSlipped discSmear testSmoking (quitting)SnoringSore throatSpina bifidaSpinal muscular atrophySports injuriesSprainsSquintStaphylococcal infectionsSterilisationStillbirthStings, insectStings, marine creaturesStreptococcal infectionsStressStretch marksStrokeSubarachnoid haemorrhageSubdural haematomaSudden infant death syndromeSuicideSunburnSupraventricular tachycardiaSyphilis

  ---