Scabies Disease Summary

Last updated: 05 March 2026

Overview

Scabies is a relatively common infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, as stated in the Introduction section.

Scabies affect around 200 million people per year globally. A detailed discussion about the prevalence of scabies is in the Epidemiology section.

Discussion on Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis is in the Etiology section.

The Pathophysiology section states that scabies involve complex interactions between the host immune system and mite-derived antigens released during infestation. The development process and transmission of scabies in infected patients is in this section.

The Risk Factors section discusses the things that contribute to the development of scabies infected patients.

The Classification section explains the different forms of scabies.



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History and Physical Examination

The Clinical Presentation section describes the clinical features and symptoms of patients with scabies. The characteristics and distribution of lesions are also included in this section.

The History section and the Physical Examination section discuss the importance of the patient’s symptoms and full-body examination in the evaluation of patients with scabies.

Diagnosis

The Diagnosis or Diagnostic Criteria section features the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) criteria for the diagnosis of scabies.

Discussion in microscopy, dermoscopy, and other tests that aid in the diagnosis of scabies is in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries section. 

Other conditions that should be ruled out in the diagnosis of scabies are listed in the Differential Diagnosis section.

Management

The Pharmacological Therapy section discusses in detail the different therapeutic options in patients with scabies.

The Nonpharmacological section includes things to educate the patient about the prevention and management of scabies. 

The Monitoring section identifies indications for the follow-up of patients treated with scabies.