Scabies

The scabies mite is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. A quick handshake or hug will usually not spread scabies

Scabies can also spread by sharing clothes, towels, bed sheets, etc. with a person who has scabies.

It spreads more easily where people are close together, such as in hospitals, child-care facilities, schools, jails and Long Term Care Homes.

Pets do not spread human scabies.

An infected person can spread scabies to others, even if they do not have symptoms. They can spread the disease until they have completed treatment and the mites and eggs are dead.

Generally, people with scabies can go back to school or work 24 hours after they complete their treatment.

People with a weakened immune system may develop a more severe and contagious form of scabies called “crusted scabies”. They may not show the usual signs and symptoms of scabies such as the characteristic rash or itching. Individuals with crusted scabies can have thick crusts of skin that contain large numbers of scabies mites and eggs. They are very contagious and can spread the infestation easily both by direct skin-to-skin contact and by contamination of items such as clothing, bedding, and furniture.

For people who have never had scabies before, it may take two to six weeks from time of exposure to develop symptoms. Individuals may acquire scabies more than once and when people have scabies again, it may only take one to four days after contact for symptoms to develop.

On a person, scabies mites can live for as long as 1-2 months. It can live on clothing and other objects for two to three days. Scabies mites will die if exposed to high temperature (50°C /122°F for 10 minutes).

Health care providers often diagnose scabies based on rash and clinical history.

Scabies infection can be confirmed by doing a test where the skin rash is scraped and examined under a microscope to look for the mites.

Scabies is treated with creams that are applied to the skin to kill the mites. These creams are available by prescription from the health care provider. Always follow the directions provided by the health care provider or pharmacist.

Medicine taken by mouth are sometimes prescribed for people who have weakened immune systems, or to control outbreaks.

Health care providers may recommend that the cream be applied twice, one week apart. This may also be considered if the itching doesn’t stop or if new rashes appear after two to four weeks. Children and pregnant women must seek medical advice and supervision for treatment.

All household members and other potentially exposed persons should be treated at the same time even if they do not have symptoms to prevent possible re-exposure and reinfestation. It is recommended for these people to talk to their health care provider for direction.

Scabies mites can be prevented from spreading to others by:

• Laundering all bed linen (sheets, pillowcases, blankets) and clothing worn next to the skin (underwear, T-shirts, socks, pants) using a hot cycle wash and a hot drying cycle
• Items that cannot be dry-cleaned or laundered can be disinfested by storing in a closed plastic bag for several days to a week
• Thoroughly cleaning and vacuuming rooms
• Treating anyone with scabies and people who have been in close contact with them

Talk to your health care provider if:

• You think you have signs and symptoms of scabies
• You believe you've had close contact with someone who has scabies