What’s scabies?

Abstract

Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by a parasite. In its usual, common form scabies is passed on through long-time close physical contact. Though rarely so, infestation, of the profuse and hyperkeratotic form, can also be caused by shared clothes, shared bed or bathroom linen. Scabies causative agent is the female mite sarcoptes scabiei , also called scab mites, a small-size skin parasite, less than half a millimeter in length, of the larger family of mites. It burrows into the host’s upper skin layer to lay its eggs there. Scabies is a common skin disorder throughout the world. Anyone can get infested whatever their age, sex, social background, or personal body care. Regular episodes of scabies flare up as small scales epidemics in communities like schools, nurseries, retirement homes, inpatient services, &.