Scabies is a tiny mite that burrows into skin and causes intense itching. It spreads mainly through close, prolonged skin contact and sometimes by sharing bedding or clothing. You don’t need to panic — a few clear steps cut the risk a lot.
Watch for itching that gets worse at night and small pimple-like bumps or thin burrow tracks, often between fingers, wrists, armpits, waist, or groin. If itching shows up after close contact with someone who has these signs, treat it as possible scabies and act quickly.
Avoid long skin-to-skin contact with anyone diagnosed or suspected of having scabies until they’ve finished treatment. Don’t share towels, sleepwear, or bedding during that time. If someone in your household is infected, plan to treat everyone who had close contact—doctors often recommend treating household members at the same time to stop reinfection.
For laundry, use hot water and the highest dryer heat the fabric can handle. Wash towels, sheets, pillowcases, and clothes worn in the last 48–72 hours. Items that can’t be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours; mites survive only a few days off human skin. Vacuum couches, mattresses, and carpets, and discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister soon after.
Keep personal items separate: no sharing of combs, hats, or clothing until everyone is cleared. If you work in close-contact settings—healthcare, childcare, or long-term care—follow your workplace infection control rules and report suspected cases so colleagues can take precautions.
If someone in your home gets treated, follow drug instructions closely. Topical treatments like permethrin cream are common; in some cases doctors prescribe oral ivermectin. Complete the full course and repeat treatment if your provider recommends it. Treating only visible symptoms without addressing close contacts and bedding often leads to a comeback.
For kids and school: notify the school nurse if your child has scabies so staff can check close contacts and limit spread. Children can return to school after their first appropriate treatment unless the school or doctor advises otherwise.
See a doctor if itching persists after treatment, if rash spreads rapidly, or if the skin becomes infected (red, warm, oozing). Crusted scabies is a severe form that needs faster, stronger care—tell your provider right away if someone with a weakened immune system seems worse.
Small actions—timely treatment, laundering, avoiding shared items, and treating close contacts—make the biggest difference. Follow your healthcare provider’s plan and double-check cleaning steps; that combination will sharply lower the chance of reinfection and stop scabies from spreading through your home or community.
As someone who's dealt with scabies before, I can't stress enough the importance of prevention and proper treatment. To avoid infection, make sure to maintain good personal hygiene, wash clothes and bedding regularly, and avoid sharing personal items with others. If you suspect an infestation, consult a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment. One effective medication for treating scabies is Crotamiton, which helps alleviate itching and kills the mites causing the infection. Remember to follow your doctor's instructions and complete the treatment to prevent reinfection.