iwhat causes the disease for scabies
1 Scabies is an itchy, highly contagious skin disease caused by an infestation by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei. 2  Direct skin-to-skin contact is the mode of transmission.3  A severe and relentless itch is the predominant symptom of scabies. Signs and symptoms of scabies include a skin rash composed of small red bumps and blisters that affects specific areas of the body. 2  Other symptoms can include tiny red burrows on the skin and relentless itching. 3  The itch leads to frequent scratching, which may predispose the skin to secondary infections.