What Do Scabies Rashes Look Like?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), scabies affects over 200 million people in the world at any one time. The condition is more common in young children and older adults, especially in poor communities that lack healthcare resources.

This article covers what scabies rashes look like, other symptoms that may occur, causes, treatment, and prevention.

What Does Scabies Look Like?

A scabies rash can look slightly different from person to person but has some common features. 

Itch

Most people will experience itching that can be severe and make it tough to sleep at night. Itching may be so bad scratching breaks the skin and makes the skin appear redder and more inflamed.

Burrows

Scabies mites are tiny parasites. You can’t see mites without a microscope, but you can spot the burrows they create under the skin's surface. These minute tunnels may appear like lines on the surface of your skin. They sometimes have a grayish tint or vary in color from your natural skin tone.

Generalized Rash

While scabies burrow under the skin, they also irritate it, causing a red rash that can mimic other types of skin irritation. In some people, particularly young children, a scabies rash may involve pus-filled bumps. 

Other Symptoms

How do you know it’s scabies? While a rash with burrows is pretty distinct and usually clinches a diagnosis, other signs of a scabies mite infestation include:

• Severe itching at night
• Crusted skin

Crusted skin can happen if you scratch, break open the skin, and a scab forms. Crusting is also a sign of crusted scabies, a severe form of scabies infestation that involves millions instead of a handful of mites. People with crusted scabies may also have open sores.

Causes

The human itch mite causes scabies rash. You can contract scabies via skin-to-skin contact with someone who has scabies.

Crusted scabies occurs in people with a weakened immune system. This can allow the mites to proliferate without control. You’re at higher risk for crusted scabies if you:

• Are an older adult
• Take immunosuppressants (drugs that block part of the immune system) for conditions such as organ transplant or autoimmune conditions (in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body)
• Are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) due to conditions such as HIV/AIDS, lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system), or leukemia (blood cancer)
  
  

Treatment

You need a prescription scabicide to treat scabies rash. These are prescription lotions or creams that are applied to the skin. You can’t treat it with at-home or over-the-counter (OTC) remedies. 

Some people need multiple rounds of treatment to kill the mites and their eggs, especially those with crusted scabies. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe medications to help with symptoms like itching or infection due to constant scratching.

Prevention

Treating scabies rash is an important part of preventing the spread of these mites. If you don’t have a rash, you can’t transmit it to someone else.

If you or someone else in your household has a scabies infestation, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also recommends the following:

• Wash clothing and other textiles like sheets, pillowcases, and towels in the hottest water possible and dry on the hottest setting.
• Vacuum your home, especially common living spaces.
• Seal non-washable items in a plastic bag for at least a week.

Summary 

A scabies mite infestation causes a red rash and burrow-like lines on the skin. It can also cause severe itching. Often, the rash crops up in skin folds or places commonly covered by clothing or jewelry, like the hands. You need a prescription to treat this skin condition and can’t treat it with home remedies.

A Word From Verywell

The intense itching of scabies can be distressing. Contact a healthcare provider so you can get effective treatment to kill the mites and prevent transmitting them to others.