Symptoms of Scabies

Those who have had scabies may only need to hear the name of this condition to reimagine the notable symptoms it causes. The main one is an extremely itchy (and unforgettable) rash caused when the Sarcoptes scabiei mite burrows itself beneath the skin. The rash may be red or purple and paired with pimples or pus.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

scabies on hand
Scabies rash on hand. Raimo Suhonen / DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Lines (burrows) may also be present, which can help differentiate a scabies rash from another skin concern. Pain, inflammation, and infection can also result, sometimes indicating more severe or advanced cases.

As scabies can be passed from person to person, it's important to recognize its signs and symptoms and seek treatment early.

scabies symptoms
Illustration by Joshua Seong. © Verywell, 2018.  

Frequent Symptoms

Scabies is most commonly characterized by intense, persistent itching of the skin around the chest, arms, hands, legs, and genital area. Normally, the itching can be temporarily relieved with topical or oral anti-itch medications. That said, those options will not eradicate the mite.

Scabies often causes a visible rash that's usually seen between the fingers, on the wrists, in the armpits, around the waist, and in the genital area. The rash is not unique, however, as it resembles that of dermatitispsoriasishot tub folliculitis, and pityriasis rosea.

Common Signs

Characteristics of the rash can (but may not always) include:

  • Red or purple color
  • Tiny lines, known as burrows, connecting colored areas
  • Small pimples
  • Bumpy skin
  • Visible white pus

These symptoms begin after an incubation period and are associated with the mature stage of the parasite, during which it tends to settle deep in the skin. 

You are considered contagious and can spread the parasite to others from the time you pick up the infection yourself (during the incubation period) until about 24 hours after you begin treatment. 

Rare Symptoms

Scabies can be quite uncomfortable, and that's especially so when the rash is associated with a painful sensation, which usually develops as the result of superficial scratches, deep skin wounds from scratching, or bacterial infections that may develop.

If you experience pain in addition to itchiness, it can be reduced with topical or oral pain medication as your scabies resolves. 

It is uncommon, but the scabies rash can progress to be quite severe, with redness, inflammation or blisters (pictured) in some areas throughout the body. This intense reaction is expected to be more severe if you have an allergic response to the parasite.

If you have a more intense than usual reaction to scabies infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe either topical or oral anti-inflammatory medication. 

Scabies normally involves the arms, legs, trunk, breasts, and genitals, and involvement of the scalp, face, palms of the hands, or soles of the feet is rare in adults. It may, however, occur in very young children who have scabies.

Complications

In severe situations, scabies can cause areas of skin to develop crusted sores. This complication, known as Norwegian scabies, is an advanced form of the condition that typically develops in people who have a weak immune system.

The crusted skin contains a higher concentration of mites than what is normally seen with scabies. This condition is more difficult to treat and is highly contagious.

Scabies lesions can become infected with bacteria, particularly after intense scratching leads to open sores and wounds. These bacterial infections are not normally contagious, but they can spread and cause scarring of the skin.

Bacterial skin infections require a different treatment than the treatment used for scabies itself. If you notice redness, swelling, or warmth of the skin, you may have a bacterial skin infection in addition to scabies. 

In areas of the world where scabies is common, people often suffer from recurrent infections. Recurrent infections may be uncomfortable, and make it difficult to eliminate the infection from the household.

Additionally, for some people, recurrent infections have been associated with serious problems, including bacterial infections of the blood (sepsis), although this is rare and usually caused by an immune deficiency. Most complications of scabies are limited to the skin. 

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Those who suspect they might have scabies and those who simply are around someone who has been diagnosed with scabies, regardless of their own symptoms or lack thereof, should see a healthcare provider.

If You Have Excessive Itching

If you experience severe itching that does not quickly resolve on its own, a medical evaluation is necessary. Scabies may or may not be the cause of your itching, but severe itching can be treated regardless of the cause. 

If You Develop a Rash

If you suddenly develop a rash, this can be a sign of scabies or another health problem. Your healthcare provider can identify the cause of your rash and initiate the appropriate treatment for you. 

It is important to identify whether your itching and rash are caused by scabies because, unlike most rashes, it can spread among your family members and community if left unrecognized and untreated. 

Scabies Doctor Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Doctor Discussion Guide Man

If You See the Mite or Burrows on Your Body

It is unusual to see the scabies mite without a microscope because it is extremely small, measuring less than a half millimeter. However, if you notice anything on your skin that seems to be alive or moving, you should get medical attention. If you see small areas of your skin that look like tunnels, these may be burrows produced by the scabies mite.

If You Have Been Exposed to Scabies

If you know that you have come in close contact with someone who has scabies, you should be treated. This includes spouses, sexual partners, or anyone with whom you have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact. However, you should also know that a quick hug or handshake is not likely to put you at risk of contracting scabies.

Because there is a delay in scabies symptoms after exposure to the mite, you should see a healthcare provider even before you begin to experience itching or notice a rash. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long does it take for scabies to cause symptoms?

    The first time you're infected with scabies, it will take from two to six weeks for symptoms to develop—what is known as a delayed, or type IV, allergic reaction. If you have had scabies before, you'll start itching within one to four days, because your body will have "learned" how to react to the mites during your first infection.

  • How does scabies cause symptoms?

    Scabies symptoms are an allergic reaction. When the immune system detects the presence of the mites that cause scabies, as well as their eggs and feces, just below the surface of the skin, it releases white blood cells called T cells. These cells work by destroying infected cells. The itching and rash are side effects of this response.

  • Why does scabies itch more at night?

    Nocturnal pruritis, the clinical term for itching that intensifies during the night, is common in scabies in part because the mites tend to move around more at night. The immune response activated by the scabella (feces) of the mites may also be more pronounced during the night.

  • Can scabies heal by itself?

    No. The only way to get rid of scabies is with topical medication that kills the mites. If you don't treat scabies, the eggs laid during the initial infestation will hatch, reproduce, and lay more eggs. This is why it's important to treat anyone who's had close contact with someone diagnosed with scabies, as they can become infected without knowing it.

  • Is there a way to get rid of scabies instantly?

    No. It typically takes about four weeks after treatment for scabies to heal completely. In the meantime, the itching and rash may worsen somewhat in response to the medication used to kill the mites.

11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Micali G, Lacarrubba F, Verzì AE, Chosidow O, Schwartz RA. Scabies: Advances in Noninvasive Diagnosis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016;10(6):e0004691. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004691

  2. Chandler DJ, Fuller LC. A Review of Scabies: An Infestation More than Skin Deep. Dermatology (Basel). 2019;235(2):79-90. doi:10.1159/000495290

  3. Su WJ, Fang S, Chen AJ, Shan K. A case of crusted scabies combined with bullous scabies. Exp Ther Med. 2015;10(4):1533-1535. doi:10.3892/etm.2015.2668

  4. Crusted scabies. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.

  5. Mccarthy JS, Kemp DJ, Walton SF, Currie BJ. Scabies: more than just an irritation. Postgrad Med J. 2004;80(945):382-7. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2003.014563

  6. Tidman AS, Tidman MJ. Intense nocturnal itching should raise suspicion of scabiesPractitioner. 2013;257(1761):23-2.

  7. American Academy of Dermatology. Scabies: Signs & symptoms.

  8. Marwa K, Kondamudi NP. Type IV hypersensitivity reaction. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. 

  9. Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, et al. Nocturnal pruritus: the battle for a peaceful night's sleepInt J Mol Sci. 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425

  10. Thompson R, Westbury S, Slape D. Paediatrics: how to manage scabiesDrugs Context. 2021;10:2020-12-3. doi:10.7573/dic.2020-12-3

  11. American Academy of Dermatology. Scabies: Diagnosis and treatment.

Additional Reading

By Heather L. Brannon, MD
Heather L. Brannon, MD, is a family practice physician in Mauldin, South Carolina. She has been in practice for over 20 years.