Scabies is a sexually transmitted disease?

Sep 03, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, scabies is not a sexually transmitted disease, but its mode of transmission is similar to that of certain sexually transmitted diseases. It is important to avoid close contact with individuals suspected or confirmed to have scabies and not to share personal items in daily life. If a family member or someone living together is diagnosed with scabies, timely and thorough disinfection of the living environment and personal belongings is necessary, such as washing clothes with boiling water and exposing bedding to direct sunlight. If symptoms such as skin itching and rashes appear, seek medical attention promptly.

Generally speaking, scabies is not a sexually transmitted disease, but its mode of transmission is similar to that of some sexually transmitted diseases. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Scabies is not a sexually transmitted disease; it is a common skin condition caused by parasitic infestation with the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. However, its transmission routes share similarities with certain sexually transmitted diseases. These similar modes of transmission mainly include close physical contact, such as direct skin contact with an infected individual, including sharing a bed or hugging. Transmission can also occur indirectly through contact with personal items previously used by an infected person, such as clothing, bedding, towels, and bed sheets. This indirect contact may lead to scabies mite infection and resembles the transmission characteristics of certain sexually transmitted diseases via close or indirect contact. However, the causes and types of these diseases are entirely different.

In daily life, it is important to avoid close contact with individuals suspected or confirmed to have scabies and not to share personal items. If family members or cohabitants are infected, timely and thorough disinfection of the living environment and personal belongings is necessary, such as washing clothes with boiling water and sun-drying bedding. If symptoms such as skin itching or rashes appear, suggestive of scabies, timely medical consultation is recommended for accurate diagnosis, avoiding self-medication that may delay treatment. During treatment, patients should follow medical advice for proper medication and implement appropriate isolation measures to prevent spreading the infection to others.

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