1. Scabies
Amy Weyer

2. Background Information
Scabies is a skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei
More than 300 million cases occur worldwide every year
It is also known as the human itch mite or the scabies itch mite

3. Taxonomy Kingdom- Animalia Phylum- Arthropoda Class- Arachnida
Order- Acarina
Family- Sarcoptidae
Genus- Sarcoptes
Species- scabiei

4. Geographic Range Worldwide
Affects all socioeconomic classes in all climates

5. Host
Definitive Host: Humans (host specific)
Intermediate Host: none

6. Morphology
Adults: 8 legs, Round body, Females are larger than males (<0.5 mm in length)
Larvae: 6 legs
Eggs: oval,( mm in length)

7. Life Cycle

8. Symptoms Itching (usually worse at night)
Tracks of small blisters or red bumps on skin
Crusty or scaly skin which is called crusted scabies (more severe)

9. Symptoms cont.
The itchy bumps and blisters usually occur in the folds of the skin:
Armpits
Under nails
Male genital area
Belt line
Between fingers
Inner thighs

10. Diagosis Examination of skin for mite burrows
Skin scraping to look for mites or eggs under the microscope

11. Treatment Permethrin cream (5%)
Crotamiton and Ivermectin are alternatives
All clothes and bedding used by an infested person should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer

12. Controls
Don’t share personal items such as combs, clothes, towels, bedding
Change clothing regularly
Wash bedding regularly

13. References

14. Review What is the geographic range?
How is it transmitted between humans?
How is it diagnosed?
What is the treatment?
What is one control method?