Scabies is an infectious disease of the skin caused by which organism?

Scabies is indeed caused by mites, specifically the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. This tiny, eight-legged parasite burrows into the upper layer of the skin, leading to intense itching and a rash as a result of the body’s allergic reaction to the mite and its waste. The condition spreads easily through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, making it particularly common in crowded conditions or among people who have close physical interactions.

The other options refer to various pests that affect humans but do not cause scabies. Bedbugs are insects that feed on human blood and cause itchy welts, while lice are parasitic insects that infest hair and scalp. Chiggers, on the other hand, are a type of mite known to cause skin irritation but are not the same as the mites that cause scabies. Therefore, identifying that scabies is specifically associated with mites, particularly the Sarcoptes scabiei, is crucial for understanding its transmission and treatment.