Scabies is an infestation by the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, which is so tiny you can’t see it with the naked eye.
They burrow into the skin and produce intense itching, which tends to be worse at night.
They can only live off of a host body for 24 to 36 hours under most conditions but they lay eggs and their offspring hatch and continue the cycle within your skin until you kill them. Transmission of the mites involves close person-to-person contact of the skin-to-skin variety.
You can see Pictures of Scabies at that link.
Mange
Dogs and cats are infected by different types of mites than those which infect humans. Scabies on dogs is called mange. When canine or feline mites land on human skin, they cannot live and produce only a mild itch that goes away.
Treatment
Scabies treatment usually comes from a doctor that prescribes a lotion or sometimes (though rarely) pills. The lotion usually contains an insecticide or poison that can kill the scabies mite.
The most common treatment is Permethrin.
Permethrin 1% lotion is used to treat head lice infections. It acts by destroying both the lice and their eggs. The 5% cream is used to treat scabies infections by destroying the mites which cause scabies.
Permethrin a common synthetic insecticide and functions as a neurotoxin, It is does not harm most mammals or birds. It generally has a low mammalian toxicity and is poorly absorbed by skin. It kills indiscriminately, as well as the intended pests, it can harm beneficial insects including honey bees, aquatic life, and small mammals such as mice. Permethrin is toxic to cats.
Learn more about Scabies.
It is not this article’s intention to provide specific medical advice to users of this website, instead this article is meant to provide users with information to help them better understand their health. You should consult a doctor before taking any medical advice.