Scabies is a contagious disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, in which the female mite burrows into the epidermis (the upper skin level) where it lays its eggs. It is trasmitted from person to person through close, prolonged contact such as sexual contact or close living situations like prisons, nursing homes or day care centers.

The female mite lays about 2-3 eggs per day as it burrows just under the skin. These eggs then hatch in about 3-4 days. Adult mites are not visible but the tracks they leave are. Left untreated, the female mites live 1-2 months all the while continuing to lay eggs under the skin.

Scabies is found usually between the fingers, on the wrists, hands, feet and in the groin area as well as long the waistline.

Treatment is simple and fairly straight-forward: Permethrin 5% cream is applied from the head to the soles of the feet and left on overnight or at least 8  hours, then washed off. Sometimes a second application is needed 1 week later.

For more information, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has some great information about scabies.