WHAT IS SCABIES?

Scabies is a skin infection from an eight-legged bug called the human itch mite, that burrows into the uppermost skin layer to feed and dwell. When there is a reaction on the skin due to the presence of the bug, there will appear intensely itchy rashes.

The human itch mite can’t be seen physically on the human skin. It usually burrows into the skin to lay numerous eggs. It can quickly spread through skin-to-skin contact.People also pick up the human itch mites through infested items such as clothes, bedding and furniture. The human itch mite can survive outside the human skin for about 4 days. Millions of scabies cases are recorded worldwide annually.

Scabies can affect anyone regardless of the age, race or economic level. Even meticulous persons do get infected by scabies. It is prevalent in nursing homes and extended care facilities. Fortunately, scabies can be successfully diagnosed and treated by dermatologists.