How Do You Get Scabies? Transmission, Risk Factors, and Prevention

alana korol
2026-03-31T09:37:02-04:00

How do you get scabies? Learn how it spreads, who is at risk, and how to prevent transmission and protect yourself.

More

Scabies is most commonly spread through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.

Because the mites cannot jump or fly, they must crawl from one person to another, which requires close physical contact—typically lasting 15–20 minutes or more.

Understanding how scabies spreads can help you recognize exposure, reduce your risk, and take action early.

🤝 Primary Transmission: Skin-to-Skin Contact

What Counts as “Prolonged Contact”?

Scabies transmission usually requires:

Direct skin-to-skin contact

Continuous contact (15–20 minutes or longer)

Close physical proximity

Most Common Ways People Get Scabies

1. Sexual Contact

Most common in adults

Full-body skin contact makes transmission easy

2. Household Contact

Sleeping in the same bed

Caring for children

Close physical interaction

3. Childcare and Schools

Holding, carrying, or playing closely

Shared contact among children

4. Healthcare Settings

Caring for patients

Prolonged physical assistance

5. Crowded Living Conditions

Nursing homes

Dorms

Shelters

Military housing

🧺 Secondary Transmission (Less Common)

Scabies can sometimes spread through shared items—but this is less common.

Possible sources:

Bedding

Towels

Clothing

Upholstered furniture

👉 Mites can only survive 48–72 hours off the body, so timing matters.

🚫 How You DO NOT Get Scabies

You cannot get scabies from:

Quick handshakes or brief contact

Pets (human mites are species-specific)

Swimming pools

Toilet seats or public surfaces

👉 learn more about scabies vs bed bugs

⚠️ Risk Factors

Certain situations increase your likelihood of exposure:

Living with someone who has scabies

Close or repeated skin contact

Working in healthcare or childcare

Living in shared or crowded environments

⏱ When Are You Contagious?

Before Symptoms Appear

You can spread scabies without knowing

Symptoms may take 4–6 weeks to show

During Active Infection

Highly contagious

Mites are active and reproducing

During Treatment

Still contagious for first 24–48 hours

Risk drops quickly after treatment begins

🌿 A Complete Approach to Prevention and Treatment

Because scabies spreads through both people and environment, prevention and treatment should always be comprehensive.

Products such as a Scabies Complete Family Treatment System are designed to support this approach by combining:

Scabies Body Wash and Shampoo – Helps cleanse the skin and remove mites

Extreme Scabies Relief Cream – Supports comfort while targeting mites on the skin

Mite Marvel Mite Killer Spray – Helps treat surfaces and reduce reinfestation

🛡 How to Prevent Scabies

Avoid Prolonged Contact

Limit skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals

Avoid sharing beds or close physical space

Don’t Share Personal Items

Towels

Clothing

Bedding

Treat All Household Members

Even if symptoms are not present

Prevents reinfestation cycle

Clean Your Environment

Wash fabrics in hot water

Dry on high heat

Vacuum furniture

👉 learn more about how to clean your house after scabies

⚡ What to Do If You’ve Been Exposed

If you suspect exposure:

Start treatment early

Wash bedding and clothing

Monitor for symptoms

Inform close contacts

👉 learn more about how to know if you have scabies

🔗 Related Reading

Where Does Scabies Start?

What Are the First Signs of Scabies?

Does Scabies Spread All Over the Body?

The Bottom Line

Scabies is spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, not casual interaction.

Key takeaways:

It requires close contact—not brief exposure

It spreads easily within households

Early action can prevent full infestation

With proper awareness and a complete approach, you can reduce risk and stop scabies before it spreads.