Scabies

Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.

The main symptom of scabies is intense itching that’s worse at night. It also causes a skin rash on areas where the mites have burrowed.

Read more about the symptoms of scabies.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a rash in areas of the body where the mites have burrowed.

The itching is often worse at night, when your skin is warmer. It may take 4 to 6 weeks before the itching starts because this is how long it takes for the body to react to mite droppings.

Symptoms will start within 1 to 2 days if you’ve had a scabies infection in the past. This is because your immune system will have learned to respond to a scabies infection.