Scabies is a skin disease caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. It appears as small furrows in the skin, in which the female parasites lay their eggs. These lesions cause intense itching (especially at night) between the fingers and on the wrists, elbows, and buttocks that later becomes generalized. Scabies is highly contagious and is transmitted by direct or indirect contact (clothing, bedding).