Scabies:
Information for adults

Though scabies is extremely contagious, it usually requires prolonged skin-to-skin contact with a person already infested. A quick handshake or hug will not normally spread the infection. However, scabies is easily spread to sexual partners and to other members of the household. Less commonly, it may be spread by sharing towels, clothing, or bedding.

Scabies requires prescription medication in order to stop the infestation. Once you are under a doctor's care, there are steps you can take to prevent scabies from coming back:

• Mites cannot survive off the human body for more than 48–72 hours. Therefore, wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used by the infested person in approximately the previous 72 hours in hot water, and dry these items in a hot dryer. 
• Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture, and discard the vacuum bags.
• Put anything that cannot be laundered into plastic bags for 5 days.
  

See your doctor for evaluation if you develop an extremely itchy rash that mostly affects the skin folds, the finger webs, and/or the breasts (if a woman) or genitalia (if a man). If other members of your household or your close contacts have similar itchy rashes, make sure they are also evaluated by a physician.