Is scabies contagious?
Sep 03, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, whether scabies is contagious depends on the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei mites and the infection status. Scabies is contagious when there is an infection with the mites and symptoms are present, but not contagious if there is no infection or if the infection has been successfully treated. During treatment, patients should thoroughly disinfect their personal clothing, bedding, and other close contact items, and minimize close contact with others.
Generally speaking, whether scabies is contagious depends on the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei mites and the infection status. Cases with Sarcoptes scabiei infestation and symptoms are contagious, while those not infected or already cured are not contagious. Detailed analysis is as follows:
When a person is infected with Sarcoptes scabiei mites and experiences symptoms such as itching, rashes, and blisters, the condition becomes contagious. The mites can spread through direct skin contact and can also attach to the patient's clothing, bedding, towels, and other personal items. Healthy individuals who come in contact with these contaminated items may become infested and infected.
If a person has not been infected with Sarcoptes scabiei mites, they will not transmit the infection to others. Even if someone has had contact with a scabies patient but does not show infection symptoms, and promptly disinfects contaminated items by boiling or sun-drying them to eliminate any remaining mites, they will not be contagious either. Additionally, scabies patients who have completed proper treatment, with complete eradication of mites and disappearance of symptoms, are no longer contagious.
To prevent the spread of scabies, it is important to avoid sharing personal items with scabies patients. During treatment, patients should thoroughly disinfect clothing, bedding, and other personal items, and minimize close contact with others.
