Scabies is caused by certain mites. Mites are tiny, spider-like creatures. Scabies mites live as parasites on humans. They dig burrows in the upper levels of the skin so that they can lay their eggs there. You can become infected by having close skin contact lasting several minutes with an infected person. You can also become infected via used bedding or objects. In the environment, mites can live for around 48 hours. In temperatures of over 50 degrees they die after a few minutes.
Scabies can cause severe itching of the skin. Red nodules or pustules can occur. The mite burrows can be seen in the skin as short, fine lines. The mites may be identified there as a black dot.
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