In simple words: Scabies is a very contagious skin infection caused by tiny mites that burrow under the skin. It causes really bad itching, especially at night, and a rash with small bumps or blisters. Scabies spreads easily through close contact with an infected person.A doctor can diagnose scabies by looking at the rash and sometimes by looking at a skin scraping under a microscope. Treatment usually involves special creams or lotions that kill the mites.

Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin, where they live and lay eggs, causing intense itching and a pimple-like rash. The itching is often worse at night. Scabies is transmitted through close personal contact, often skin-to-skin. Common sites of infestation include the finger webs, wrists, elbows, armpits, waist, genitals, and buttocks in adults, and the palms, soles, face, and scalp in infants. Secondary bacterial skin infections can occur due to scratching. Diagnosis is based on physical examination and microscopic examination of skin scrapings. Treatment involves scabicide lotions or oral medications.

Example 1: A 25-year-old college student presents with intense itching, especially at night, and a pimple-like rash between his fingers, on his wrists, and around his waist.Upon examination, the physician observes burrows in the affected areas and diagnoses scabies.The patient and his roommates are prescribed permethrin cream., An infant presents with widespread itchy bumps and blisters on the palms, soles, face, and scalp.The mother reports similar symptoms among family members. The physician suspects scabies and recommends treatment for the entire family with a permethrin cream approved for infants., An elderly resident of a nursing home develops a crusted, scaly rash on various parts of her body. She has mild itching.The physician recognizes this as crusted scabies, a more severe form of scabies, and promptly initiates treatment with both a prescription pill and a skin cream. Infection control measures are implemented to prevent an outbreak within the facility.

Documentation should include the presence of characteristic signs and symptoms such as itching (especially at night), rash (pimple-like bumps, blisters, burrows), and the location of the lesions.If a skin scraping is performed, the results of the microscopic examination should be documented. Patient history, including potential exposure to scabies, should also be noted.The treatment prescribed and instructions provided to the patient should also be documented.