{"id":29909,"date":"2026-09-21T10:40:53","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T08:40:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sereni-d.com\/non-classifiee\/les-symptomes-de-la-gale\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T15:45:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T13:45:24","slug":"the-symptoms-of-scabies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sereni-d.com\/en\/our-advice\/the-symptoms-of-scabies\/","title":{"rendered":"Scabies: what are the symptoms and how can you recognise it?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Scabies is a contagious condition that causes skin problems, mainly itching. It is caused by a parasite called Sarcoptes scabiei.<\/strong>
What are the symptoms in adults and children? How does it differ from other skin conditions? Here\u2019s how to recognise scabies and its different forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N.B.:<\/strong> This article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for your doctor\u2019s advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

In summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

\u27a1\ufe0fThe main symptom of scabies is intense itching, which is often worse at night, accompanied by spots, blisters or burrows.
\u27a1\ufe0fThe hands, the spaces between the fingers, the wrists, the stomach, the buttocks and the genitals are among the areas most commonly affected.
\u27a1\ufe0fIn infants, scabies can also affect the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the face and the scalp.
\u27a1\ufe0fThe scabies burrows resemble small, fine, winding lines a few millimetres long that are difficult to spot with the naked eye.
\u27a1\ufe0fScabies can be mistaken for eczema, an allergy, a fungal infection or insect bites. Only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis.
\u27a1\ufe0fEven after treatment, the itching may persist for 2 to 4 weeks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Scabies: a highly contagious skin condition<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"vue<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Human scabies<\/strong> is a parasitic skin condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis<\/em><\/a>, a microscopic parasite belonging to the mite family<\/strong>. It is transmitted between people through prolonged skin-to-skin contact<\/strong> [1]. For this reason, living in communal settings facilitates the spread of scabies. Schools, nurseries and care homes are frequently affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice, the female parasite burrows small tunnels into the outer layer of the skin in order to lay her eggs there. Her presence and her faeces trigger a reaction in the body, causing itching and characteristic lesions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\ud83d\udc49<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Known since ancient times, scabies has long been regarded as a disease of \u2018unclean people\u2019 and is still often seen as shameful. However, it is not linked to poor hygiene and can affect anyone<\/strong>, regardless of age or social background.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

What are the early symptoms of scabies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The main symptom of scabies is intense itching, which worsens at night<\/strong>. This itching can gradually spread to several areas of the body and affect several people within the same household [2] [3].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skin lesions also appear<\/strong>: small red spots, blisters or ridges. Some are caused directly by the parasite, whilst others result from repeated scratching and may form scabs [2] [3].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\ud83d\udc49<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Upon initial infection, the symptoms of scabies do not appear immediately<\/strong>. According to the World Health Organisation<\/a>, the incubation period is usually<\/strong> 4 to 6 weeks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

What do the early signs of scabies look like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the early stages of scabies, the first sign people often notice is an unusual itch<\/strong> that becomes more bothersome in the evening or at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small spots<\/strong> may then appear between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows or around the waist<\/strong>. If a family member or someone living in the same household has the same symptoms, it is highly likely that they have scabies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What are the different forms of scabies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scabies can take different forms depending on the number of parasites present and the extent of the lesions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n