Key symptoms
- Intense itching, especially at night. This symptom distinguishes scabies from other, less urgent skin conditions.
- Small bumps or raised red spots. These lesions are usually a direct result of scratching and the allergic reaction to dust mites.
Most affected areas
The eruption is usually concentrated in:
- Spaces between the fingers
- Dolls
- Armpits
- Waist, genital area and buttocks
In some cases, especially in young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems, scabies can spread to areas such as the neck, palms of the hands, or soles of the feet, including the most severe form known as crusted scabies or Norwegian scabies .
Especially vulnerable people
- Young children : more susceptible to extended developments.
- Older adults : higher risk of rapid progression.
- Immunocompromised people : more likely to contract the crusted form, which can be very aggressive and contagious.
