Cause 9: Scabies – The Itchy Invaders
Scabies, though not as commonly discussed, is a significant cause of itchy skin rashes. Caused by a mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei, this highly contagious skin infestation can be quite disruptive due to its intense itching and uncomfortable rash.
The scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin, where it lives and lays its eggs. The symptoms of scabies are an allergic reaction to the mites, their eggs, and their waste. The primary symptom is a pimple-like rash accompanied by severe itching that’s often worse at night.
Scabies is typically spread through prolonged physical contact with someone who has the infestation. This means it’s common in crowded places where close skin-to-skin contact is frequent. However, it can also occasionally be spread through infested bedding, clothing, or furniture.
One unique aspect of scabies is that it can take weeks for symptoms to appear after initial infestation. This means that people can unknowingly spread scabies before they even realize they’re infested. (9)
