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Scabies is a contagious skin infestation by the parasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. Its cardinal symptom is severe itching, often most intense at night, that's caused by an allergic reaction to the mite. Scabies is transmitted by prolonged personal contact, sexual or otherwise. It's especially common in the close conditions of day-care, schools, nursing-homes, & prisons. Skin rash from scabies is especially prevalent between fingers, around elbows, wrists, & pubic areas, or at other places with skin folds.
Picture from Hardin MD/CDC, text paraphrased from several sources on list below.