Final answer:
Scabies is commonly characterized by itchy patches of skin with scales and most often affects the wrists, between the fingers, and other areas with thinner skin. It is caused by the burrowing scabies mite and spreads through close physical contact, requiring treatment with prescribed medicated creams and a thorough cleaning of personal items.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common distribution seen in scabies involves itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. Scabies typically affects areas of the body with thinner skin such as the wrists, between the fingers, under the arm, around the waist, and in the groin area. In addition, scabies can often be found on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms, and feet. These rashes are due to the burrowing of the scabies mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, into the upper layer of the skin where it lays eggs, causing an allergic reaction and intense itching.
Scabies is highly contagious and can spread quickly through close physical contact in a family, school or nursing home environment. Traditional treatment involves using prescription creams and lotions that contain insecticides to eradicate the mites. It's important to also wash clothing, bedding, and towels used by the infested person to prevent re-infestation.
Contact with infested individuals or their personal items is the primary cause for the spread of scabies, and the condition is more often seen in crowded living conditions where personal items might be shared. Health professionals typically recommend treating all members of the household when one person is diagnosed with scabies because of the ease with which the mites can spread.