What does scabies caused by the scabies mite look like? - briefly
The infestation presents as a red, intensely itchy rash with thin, gray‑white burrow tracks where the mite has tunneled, typically on the finger webs, wrists, elbows, and waistline. Lesions may form tiny vesicles or pustules and can become secondarily infected from scratching.
What does scabies caused by the scabies mite look like? - in detail
Scabies presents as a distinctive pattern of skin lesions caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei burrowing into the epidermis. The primary sign is a thin, gray‑white or yellowish tunnel (burrow) that follows the line of the mite’s movement. Burrows are usually 2–10 mm long, slightly raised, and may contain a visible mite or fecal droplet at one end. They are most often found in the web spaces of the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, anterior forearm, areola, nipple, belt line, abdomen, buttocks, genitalia, and, in infants, on the scalp, face, palms, and soles.
Accompanying the burrows are erythematous papules, frequently grouped and intensely pruritic, especially at night. In areas of repeated scratching, papules may become excoriated, leading to crusted erosions or secondary bacterial infection. Vesicles can appear on the palms and soles, and in severe cases, especially in immunocompromised individuals, the skin may develop thick, hyperkeratotic plaques—known as crusted (Norwegian) scabies—covering large body surfaces.
Typical distribution patterns help differentiate scabies from other dermatoses:
- Interdigital spaces of the hands
- Wrist creases
- Axillary folds
- Nipple‑areolar region
- Periumbilical area
- Genitalia and perianal region
- In infants, scalp, face, and palms/soles
Characteristic features to note:
- Linear or serpentine burrow tracks
- Small (0.2–0.4 mm) mite visible at the end of a burrow under magnification
- Intensely pruritic lesions that worsen after dark
- Symmetrical involvement of typical sites
- Absence of primary lesions on the face in older children and adults
When the infestation is prolonged, hyperkeratotic crusts may develop, forming thick, yellowish plaques that can detach, leaving raw, painful surfaces. These lesions often harbor millions of mites, increasing contagion risk.
In summary, scabies manifests as burrows and itchy papules localized to characteristic body areas, with possible secondary changes such as vesicles, crusts, or extensive hyperkeratosis in severe cases. Accurate identification of these signs is essential for timely treatment and containment.