

Find Services \| News & Information \| Rules & Regulations \| Business Information	(Buscar)

Information For . . .

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

To locate HIV/STD testing and other services in Texas, call 2‑1‑1.

For all other HIV/STD questions, call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).

Links to external websites are intended for informational purposes and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Scabies Fact Sheet

ORGANISM	A mite: Sarcoptes scabiei
TRANSMISSION	Passed by direct skin-to-skin contact with infested person or by infested sheets, towels, and clothing.
INCUBATION	Itching begins after two to six weeks in people without previous exposure. People who have been previously infected develop symptoms 1-4 days after re-exposure.
TYPICAL SYMPTOMS	Early symptoms include small, raised, red bumps or blisters on the skin with severe itching, often identified as burrows. Areas generally affected include the webs of the fingers, wrists and elbows, underarms, belt line, thighs, and external genitalia in men; nipples, abdomen, and the lower portion of the buttocks in women.
DIAGNOSIS	Microscopic examination of the mite, as seen in scrapings from an affected area.
TREATMENT	Cured with special creams, lotions, or shampoos that can be bought at drugstores. Some products require a prescription while others do not. Bedding, clothing, towels must be laundered in hot water.
PREVENTION	Avoid physical/skin to skin contact with infested individuals and their belongings, especially clothing and bedding.
DANGER	None.
COMMENTS	To prevent getting lice again, sex partners and household contacts should be treated at the same time.

DSHS Electronic Publication Number E13-11910

Last Updated June 7, 2007