Scabies is caused by infestation of the skin by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. It affects all age groups and is a worldwide disease. Clinical features appear several weeks after exposure, and are associated with pruritus. Burrows, excoriations, vesicles, papules and nodules are seen on physical examination. Infested individuals are at risk of secondary bacterial infection. Diagnosis is often made clinically, but can be confirmed by performing a scabies preparation and/or dermoscopy. Topical therapy is the mainstay of treatment and should be utilized by all household and other contacts. For severe infestations, oral ivermectin is an alternative therapy.

The term pseudoscabies is used to describe a skin eruption caused by mites for which, unlike scabies, humans are not the normal host. Bird, rodent and dog mites are most commonly implicated in children. Pseudoscabies is characterized clinically by nonspecific pruritic papules on exposed skin. Diagnosis requires a high degree of clinical suspicion, as the offending mites are barely visible to the human eye. Treatment depends primarily upon the identification and removal (or treatment) of the source of contact.