When is scabies communicable

Products used to treat scabies are called scabicides because they kill scabies mites; some also kill mite eggs. Bedding, clothing, and towels used by infested persons or their household, sexual and close contacts anytime during the three days before treatment should be decontaminated by washing in hot water and drying in a hot dryer, by dry-cleaning, or by sealing in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours. Scabies mites generally do not survive more than 2 to 3 days away from human skin.

Treatment should be given to both the infested person and to household members and sexual contacts, particularly those who have had prolonged direct skin-to-skin contact with the infested person. This causes intense itching, especially at night. You might also notice thin tracks of small, red blisters or bumps. Others develop a rash in areas of folded skin, such as the buttocks, knees, arms, breasts, or genitals.

Scabies can be transmitted through close body contact or sexual contact with someone who is infected. Scabies is typically spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has scabies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , contact usually needs to be prolonged to spread scabies. In addition, sharing personal items that come into contact with your skin, such as clothing, towels, and bedding, can also spread scabies to others in some cases.

But this is more likely in cases of crusted scabies, a type of scabies that can affect people who have a weakened immune system. Scabies requires treatment, usually with a prescription cream or lotion. Your doctor will likely tell you to apply the medication over all of your skin, from your neck to your feet, after a bath or shower. Some medications can also be safely applied to your hair and face.

Keep in mind that these topical treatments often need to be left on for at least 8 to 10 hours at a time, so avoid putting it on before taking a shower or bath. You may need to do several treatments, depending on the type of medication used or if new rashes appear.

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CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. Rashes, thread-like lesions or vesicles may also be seen on the skin. The commonly affected areas are finger webs, wrists, elbows, armpits, nipples, lower abdomen, external genitalia, buttocks and shoulder blades.

The face and scalp are usually spared, except in infants, young children and immunocompromised persons. A severe form of scabies known as Norwegian or crusted scabies can occur in the elderly, people with weakened immunity or disabilities.

The skin lesions appear as marked scales and crusts, which contain large number of scabies mites and eggs.