Scabies is a disease caused by the ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Scabies is a contagious cutaneous inflammation and common among many different species of animals. S. scabiei burrows into the skin of their host, reproducing and laying eggs in the burrows. Transmission of the mite commonly occurs by skin-to-skin contact, but with crusted scabies it may also occur through fomites, such as infected clothing or bedding.
