Scabies

Definition

An infestation of the skin by the human scabies mite, Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, which is passed from human to human by close skin contact. The mites burrow into the epidermis and thereby excite a host immune response which limits the extent of the infestation but results in a widespread inflammatory eruption of intensely pruritic papules. These frequently become secondarily infected as a result of excoriation. In individuals who fail to mount an immune response, the mites may proliferate unchecked with the formation of extensive crusts containing enormous numbers of mites (crusted scabies).

Index Terms

Subcategories (2)