Scabies
Introduction Scabies is an intensely itchy skin condition, especially at night, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei . The diagnostic burrows are small (0.5-1.5 cm grey irregular tracks) and scratching often makes them difficult to see. The mite is transmitted by direct physical contact (e.g. holding hands, hugging or sexual contact), although transmission through casual contact like shaking hands is unlikely. Occasionally, scabies is acquired via bedding or furnishings. Scabies typically affects the finger webs, sides of the fingers and wrists . In adults, it rarely affects the scalp and face, but in children aged 2 years or under and the elderly, the head is more common affected, especially the area behind the ear. Management All household members and close contacts of the affected individual should be treated simultaneously , even in the absence of symptoms. Because the incubation period of the scabies mites is 3 weeks and the itch of scabies may take up to 8 weeks to develop,...