| Scabies is also referred to as ‘sarcoptic | | | | Red bumps are usually present on the lesser |
| mange' and is an infectious skin disease, | | | | exposed parts of the body. Only 10-15 mites |
| commonly characterized by intense itching. As a | | | | under the skin can cause hundreds of bumps and |
| matter of fact, the female mite spreads the | | | | rashes on the skin. While travelling within the skin, |
| infestation in humans and they happen to be | | | | the mites would leave S-shaped tracks or random |
| much smaller as compared to the male version. | | | | shaped tunnels. Under the microscope, the mites |
| Unlike the other common insects, these parasites | | | | look like a pimple with a dark spot in the centre. |
| are microscopic in nature and possess eight legs. | | | | The female mites are about 0.3-0.4mm in size. |
| The name scabies is derived from the Latin word | | | | During the healing process, the rashes, red bumps |
| called ‘scabere'. During the active infestation | | | | and the itching would gradually lessen down. Also, |
| stages, the mites would puncture and burrow | | | | during re-infestation process, the bumps and the |
| within the skin. Therefore, you would often notice | | | | rashes are not severe enough and do not cause a |
| the presence of superficial burrows at the site of | | | | lot of discomfort. Since these symptoms can |
| infection. The skin would be filled with rashes, | | | | occur with any skin condition, scabies is often |
| red-coloured bumps, similar to pimples. | | | | misdiagnosed. Therefore, it is very important to |
| It has been proven that the symptoms of | | | | scrap a layer of your skin and observe it under |
| scabies appear within 2-8 weeks of infestation. | | | | the microscope. |