What does skin look like with a scabies mite? - briefly
The skin displays thin, gray‑white burrows 1–2 mm long, commonly located in finger webs, wrists, elbows, and the waistline, accompanied by erythematous papules and intense nocturnal pruritus. In severe cases, excoriated nodules and crusted lesions may develop.
What does skin look like with a scabies mite? - in detail
The skin affected by a scabies mite infestation displays a characteristic pattern of lesions. Small, thread‑like tunnels appear on the surface, usually 2–10 mm long, pale to grayish and slightly raised. These burrows are most often found in the web spaces of the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, axillae, waistline, buttocks, and genital area. Within or adjacent to the tunnels, firm, dome‑shaped papules develop; they may be erythematous or skin‑colored and range from 1 to 3 mm in diameter. Occasionally, vesicles or tiny pustules form, especially when scratching induces secondary irritation. Nodular lesions, larger and more chronic, can arise on the palms, soles, or thighs in prolonged cases.
Typical clinical features include:
- Linear or serpentine burrows aligned with the skin’s natural creases
- Intense pruritus that intensifies at night
- Erythema surrounding the tunnels, often with excoriation marks
- Secondary bacterial infection signs such as crusting, swelling, or pus discharge
The distribution pattern is symmetrical, reflecting the mite’s preference for warm, moist skin regions. Lesions may coalesce, creating larger plaques, but individual burrows remain discernible under magnification. Dermatoscopic examination reveals a “jet‑liner” sign: a dark line corresponding to the mite’s body within the tunnel. Histopathology shows a mite embedded in the stratum corneum, surrounded by inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and eosinophils.