When is scabies not contagious

The scabies rash is sometimes confused with drug reactions, eczema, seborrhea , chicken pox , and other viral rashes. Scabies like to burrow in the web spaces of the fingers, the creases of the wrists, the armpits, the ankles, the feet, the genitals, and the nipples. They can occur anywhere on the body, although the face and neck are usually spared.

Scabies is highly contagious. Spread of the mites usually occurs directly from person to person. The greater the extent and duration of touch, the more likely the mites are to spread. Catching scabies from objects fomites is far less common, but the mites can live in the absence of a person for 48 to 72 hours.

Clothing and bedding that may be contaminated should be washed in hot water. When this is not possible, items should be left in a sealed plastic bag for 7 to 10 days.

The scabies infestation usually lasts until treated. People are usually no longer contagious within 24 hours of treatment. Even after successful treatment, the dead mites, dead eggs, and fecal material will remain in the skin for 2 to 4 weeks until the skin grows out. Thus, intense itching is expected to continue. Antihistamines especially at night , topical steroid creams, and the liberal use of moisturizers will often help. Sometimes antibiotics are needed, if scratching results in a bacterial infection.

Scabies is usually diagnosed by the history and physical exam. The diagnosis can be confirmed by examining skin scrapings under a microscope. Mites and their eggs are visible under the microscope. Most cases of scabies are completely eradicated with a single overnight application of an anti-scabies cream available by prescription.

Scabies sometimes is spread indirectly by sharing articles such as clothing, towels, or bedding used by an infested person; however, such indirect spread can occur much more easily when the infested person has crusted scabies. Diagnosis of a scabies infestation usually is made based on the customary appearance and distribution of the rash and the presence of burrows.

Whenever possible, the diagnosis of scabies should be confirmed by identifying the mite, mite eggs, or mite fecal matter scybala. This can be done by carefully removing a mite from the end of its burrow using the tip of a needle or by obtaining skin scraping to examine under a microscope for mites, eggs, or mite fecal matter. It is important to remember that a person can still be infested even if mites, eggs, or fecal matter cannot be found; typically fewer than mites can be present on the entire body of an infested person who is otherwise healthy.

However, persons with crusted scabies can be infested with thousands of mites and should be considered highly contagious. On a person, scabies mites can live for as long as months. Off a person, scabies mites usually do not survive more than hours. Products used to treat scabies are called scabicides because they kill scabies mites; some also kill eggs.

Always follow carefully the instructions provided by the doctor and pharmacist, as well as those contained in the box or printed on the label. When treating adults and older children, scabicide cream or lotion is applied to all areas of the body from the neck down to the feet and toes; when treating infants and young children, the cream or lotion also is applied to the head and neck.

The medication should be left on the body for the recommended time before it is washed off. Clean clothes should be worn after treatment. In addition to the infested person, treatment also is recommended for household members and sexual contacts, particularly those who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person.

All persons should be treated at the same time in order to prevent reinfestation. Retreatment may be necessary if itching continues more than weeks after treatment or if new burrows or rash continue to appear. Anyone who is diagnosed with scabies, as well as his or her sexual partners and other contacts who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person, should be treated.

Treatment is recommended for members of the same household as the person with scabies, particularly those persons who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person. All persons should be treated at the same time to prevent reinfestation.

If itching continues more than weeks after initial treatment or if new burrows or rash continue to appear if initial treatment includes more than one application or dose, then the time period begins after the last application or dose , retreatment with scabicide may be necessary; seek the advice of a physician.

Animals do not spread human scabies. However, the animal mite cannot reproduce on a person and will die on its own in a couple of days. Scabies is spread by prolonged skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies.

Scabies sometimes also can be spread by contact with items such as clothing, bedding, or towels that have been used by a person with scabies, but such spread is very uncommon unless the infested person has crusted scabies. Scabies is very unlikely to be spread by water in a swimming pool. Except for a person with crusted scabies, only about scabies mites are present on an infested person; it is extremely unlikely that any would emerge from under wet skin.

Although uncommon, scabies can be spread by sharing a towel or item of clothing that has been used by a person with scabies. Scabies mites do not survive more than days away from human skin. 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. Your doctor may recommend other medications and home remedies to treat symptoms caused by scabies, such as itching and infection.

You can also try these home remedies for scabies. Whenever possible, you should avoid directly touching a skin rash. If you are taking care of someone with scabies, use protection like gowns, disposable gloves, and shoe covers.

Wash your hands thoroughly after any contact, even if you are wearing protective clothing. Thoroughly clean and vacuum the room of people with crusted scabies regularly to remove skin crusts and scales that can contain mites.

Bedding and clothes used by a person with scabies should be put in a plastic bag and emptied directly into a washer to avoid spreading infection. This includes any clothes or bedding used in the three days before a person with scabies was treated. Items that cannot be washed, such as mattresses, should be sealed in a plastic bag and not touched for at least 72 hours.

Protective clothes and gloves should be used when touching any contaminated items. These precautions should be continued until the person with crusted scabies has been treated twice a week apart.