Eczema vs Scabies

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Eczema
Scabies
Category
Common
Common
Key feature
Red, itchy, inflamed skin - the most common chronic skin condition in children. Part of the atopic triad with asthma and hay fever.
Intensely itchy rash from microscopic burrowing mites. Worse at night. Spreads through prolonged skin contact.
Risk factors
Family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever; Filaggrin gene mutations (skin barrier dysfunction); Living in dry or cold climates
Close personal contact with an infected person; Crowded living conditions (dorms, nursing homes, shelters); Immunosuppression (risk of crusted/Norwegian scabies)
Action needed
Eczema not controlled with regular moisturizing and over-the-counter hydrocortisone
Intense itching worse at night, especially in typical locations

Eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition causing red, itchy, dry, and sometimes weeping or crusting patches. It is the most common chronic skin disease in children, affecting up to 20% of children and 3% of adults worldwide.

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Scabies

Scabies is caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows into the outermost layer of skin to lay eggs. The resulting immune reaction causes intense itching that is characteristically worse at night and can be severe enough to disrupt sleep.

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Does yours look more like eczema?

Quick self-check

Does this look like eczema? Answer 2 questions.

Is there intense itching with red, dry, sometimes weeping patches?

Do you or family members have asthma or hay fever?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →