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Scabies

127 Dermatology & Venereology doctors in Hong Kong →

Also known as: Sarcoptes scabiei · Crusted scabies ·

The Centre for Health Protection describes scabies as a skin disease caused by the scabies mite, a parasite that burrows into the skin to live and breed. The main symptom is intense itching, worst at night. Unlike eczema it spreads by direct contact, so a patient’s family and close contacts should be treated at the same time.

Hong Kong has 127 registered Dermatology & Venereology doctors.

Source: Medical Council of Hong Kong register · read 2026-09-20

ok.med editorial team ·
Compiled by the editorial team from the sources listed below. Not reviewed by an individual doctor.

What is scabies?

The Centre for Health Protection describes it as a skin disease caused by the scabies mite, a parasite which burrows into the skin, then lives and breeds there. It spreads readily in crowded settings.

That distinction matters: scabies is not the skin reacting to something but a living parasite in the skin. The approach is therefore the opposite of eczema — eczema is controlled by moisturising and avoiding triggers, while scabies requires eliminating the mite itself and dealing with contacts at the same time.

How is it told apart from eczema?

The Centre notes the main symptom is intense itching, particularly severe at night, with a rash, linear burrow marks or small blisters commonly appearing in the finger webs, on the wrists, elbows and armpits.

Scabies against eczema
FeatureScabiesEczema
CauseA mite burrowing into the skin to live and breedAn inflammatory reaction of the skin
ContagiousYes — by direct contact and contaminated itemsNo
The itchIntense, and worst at nightItch with dryness, flaking and recurrence
HouseholdFamily, sexual partners and close contacts should be treated at the same timeNo treatment of others needed

Medical Council of Hong Kong register

127 Dermatology & Venereology doctors in Hong Kong

All 127 ›

The doctors below are listed from the Medical Council of Hong Kong register. This is not a recommendation, and says nothing about outcomes for this condition. Ask the doctor directly.

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How long is the incubation period?

The Centre states that in someone who has never had scabies the incubation period is generally about four to eight weeks, while in someone previously infected symptoms can appear within one to four days.

A four-to-eight-week incubation has a practical consequence: someone can pass the mite to those they live with before any itching begins. That is exactly why contacts are treated at the same time — waiting for them to develop symptoms means weeks of transmission have already passed.

Does the household need treating too?

Yes. The Centre’s advice is explicit: a patient’s family, sexual partners and close contacts should also consult a doctor and be treated for scabies at the same time, to reduce transmission.

Clothing and bedding also need handling: the Centre specifies washing at 60°C or above for no less than ten minutes. Clothing, bed linen and towels contaminated by a patient may carry mites or their eggs and pass the disease on.

At a glance

Scabies against eczema: scabies is cause

Scabies against eczema: scabies is caused by a mite, is contagious, itches worst at night, and requires contacts to be treated at the same time; eczema is an inflammatory reaction, is not contagious, and requires no treatment of others.
Source: Centre for Health Protection · Read the original ›

Why do outbreaks happen in residential homes?

Because scabies spreads readily where people live closely together, and someone with crusted scabies is considerably more infectious. The Centre’s prevention advice includes regular skin checks for residents of institutions.

Other measures are personal hygiene, changing clothes and bed linen regularly, and not sharing personal items. In an institution, one unrecognised case combined with a four-to-eight-week incubation is enough for spread to occur well before anyone notices.

What does the Centre for Health Protection say?

Scabies is one of the few skin conditions on which the Centre for Health Protection publishes directly, and its guidance covers the incubation period, the handling of contacts and specific parameters for decontaminating clothing.

  • The Centre states that in someone never previously affected the incubation period is generally four to eight weeks, while in someone previously infected symptoms appear within one to four days.Centre for Health Protection: scabies · read · (source)
  • The Centre advises that a patient’s family, sexual partners and close contacts should also consult a doctor and be treated at the same time, to reduce transmission.Centre for Health Protection: scabies · read · (source)
  • The Centre specifies washing a patient’s clothing at 60°C or above for no less than ten minutes.Centre for Health Protection: scabies · read · (source)
  • The Centre notes scabies spreads readily in crowded settings, that crusted scabies carries a higher transmission risk, and recommends regular skin checks for residents of institutions.Centre for Health Protection: scabies · read · (source)

When should a doctor be seen?

  • Itch worst at night with linear burrow marks or small blisters, especially in the finger webs, wrists, elbows and armpits.
  • More than one person in a household or institution itching at the same time.
  • Itch that does not settle despite being managed as eczema.
  • Thick crusts or widespread scaling — crusted scabies is considerably more infectious and needs prompt attention.
  • Redness, pus or warmth at scratched areas, which may indicate bacterial infection.

Each has its own page and doctor list

Conditions related to Scabies

By district

Which districts have Dermatology & Venereology doctors?

Frequently asked questions

How do I tell scabies from eczema?
Scabies itches intensely and is worst at night, often with linear burrow marks concentrated in the finger webs, wrists, elbows and armpits — and it is contagious, which eczema is not. Diagnosis requires examination.
Do household members without symptoms need treating?
The Centre advises treating family, sexual partners and close contacts at the same time. With an incubation period of up to eight weeks, no symptoms does not mean no infection.
What about clothing and bedding?
Wash at 60°C or above for at least ten minutes. Contaminated clothing, bed linen and towels may carry mites or their eggs.
Why is the incubation period so long?
In someone never previously affected it is generally four to eight weeks; in someone previously infected the body is already sensitised and symptoms appear within one to four days. This is also why contacts are treated together.
Why is it common in residential homes?
It spreads readily where people live closely together, and crusted scabies is considerably more infectious. The Centre recommends regular skin checks for residents.
Can itching continue after treatment?
Whether itching persists and what to do about it is for a doctor to assess. This page recommends no medicine or regimen; if there is no improvement after treatment as directed, return to the doctor rather than adding to it yourself.

Sources

  1. Centre for Health Protection: scabies — the mite, transmission, incubation, symptoms, handling of contacts and prevention. Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health ()
  2. Centre for Health Protection: scabies education resources, including a pamphlet and institutional infection prevention guidance. Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health ()
  3. Student Health Service, Department of Health: eczema — the non-contagious inflammatory condition used here for contrast. Student Health Service, Department of Health ()
  4. LegCo Question 17 — Department of Health dermatology waiting times by triage category. HKSAR Government Press Release (8 November 2023) ()

This page is compiled from the Hong Kong official sources listed above. It is general information only — not a diagnosis, a treatment recommendation or medical advice, and no substitute for seeing a doctor. If you are unsure or your condition changes, consult a registered doctor.