Scabies mites burrowing in the top layer (epidermis) of human skin, artwork. Scabies is a disease caused by an infestation with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The burrows made by the mites are extremely itchy, and scabs and open wounds can arise from involuntary scratching. The female mites lay eggs (small purple ovals) in their burrows. The young that hatch from these eggs can easily be spread to another person by physical contact, making the disease highly contagious. The life cycle can be completed within two weeks. Treatment is with topical pesticide creams that kill the mites. Itching may persist for several weeks after the mites have been killed.