What is scabies?
Scabies is a condition caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows under the sensitive sections of skin, causing severe irritation. Transmission is usually from one infected individual to another. Diagnosis can only be achieved with a skin scraping, which is examined by microscopy, Scabies is easily treated with various readily obtained preparations from chemists. (For more information see the Scabies fact sheet).
