Causes of Scabies

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Scabies is caused by a mite that burrows under the skin. The skin produces an allergic reaction and intense itching develops. Scabies is highly contagious and is spread by close physical contact.

Like head lice, scabies mites do not prefer a particular type of person, whether they have good personal hygiene or not, and can be transferred onto anyone who has contact with an infested person.

Young children, elderly people with limited mobility, and people with HIV/AIDS are among the groups who may have larger quantities of mites on them, when an infestation occurs. They sometimes develop crusted scabies, with thickened skin and possibly thousands of mites. Crusted scabies is extremely contagious, because of the larger number of mites, and can be passed on through bedding, towels, clothes and upholstery, as well as close physical contact.

Household pets also have mites but these are not the same type of mite that infest humans. Although people can have a temporary allergic reaction to mites on pets, it is very unlikely that they will be infested with scabies by these mites.