• Persistent, extremely itchy rash, which may resemble pimples
• Very fine red wavy lines that are slightly scaly may radiate from the pimple-like bumps – these are the burrows in which the mites lay their eggs
• Itchiness tends to be worse at night, after a shower, or exercise
• Scratching sometimes causes the skin to break, resulting in small cuts or sores, which may become infected.
• As scabies is contagious, it is are most common in situations where people are in close personal contact with each other (for example schools, daycare centres and nursing homes), and is also prevalent amongst people living in unhygienic conditions.
• Symptoms tend to develop 4-6 weeks after a person becomes infested, and are most likely to affect the hands and arms (specifically the wrist, elbows and between the fingers), knees, shoulder blades, the male genitalia, and, in females, the breasts.
  

Scabies mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) are parasites that need a human host in order to survive. The female parasite burrows under the top layer of the skin to lay her eggs. The skin becomes inflamed, red and swollen in response to the presence of the eggs, the mites themselves, and their wastes.

Scabies is spread by direct contact with a person or animal that is infected, and can also be passed on via the sharing of bedding, towels or clothes.