Scabies is a transmissible skin disease caused by the ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. This variant infests humans only; scabies cannot be caught or transferred to other animals. Scabies is a highly contagious infestation of the human epidermis. Scabies was described by Aristotle who likened the disease to 'lice of the flesh'.. Scabies is a very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite (bug). Scabies is very contagious and spreads quickly. If you have scabies, your whole family may need to be treated. What are the symptoms of scabies? Scabies causes intense itching, threadlike tracks on your skin and sometimes a rash. The rash looks like tiny red lumps and is caused.
Although they do not cause scabies in humans, the follicle mites, Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, are sometimes found in human skin biopsies and should not be confused with the human scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei).The adult Demodex mites are long and slender, measuring approximately 0.30 mm long by 0.05 mm wide, and can be found in the pilosebaceous follicles on the face, nose.. See scabies skin rashes, symptoms (night itching), treatments, and home care in this WebMD slideshow. Pictures show the itch mite, how it spreads, who gets scabies, and how to get rid of it.