Can scabies mites crawl into bedding?

Jun 19, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My roommate has scabies, and the doctor said it's contagious. If I don't have direct contact with my roommate, can the mites crawl into my bedding?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Scabies mites can crawl into bedding. Scabies mites are permanent parasitic mites that primarily infest soft and thin areas of human skin, such as between the fingers and in the armpits. After leaving their human host, scabies mites can still survive for about 2–3 days, during which they may lay eggs and hatch, making them transmissible. Scabies mites can spread through contact with contaminated clothing, bed sheets, quilts, and other items. This means that if a person has scabies mites on their skin, the bedding they use could become a hiding place for these mites. To effectively prevent and control the spread of scabies mites, it is recommended to thoroughly disinfect contaminated items—such as by using high temperatures (above 50°C) or exposing them to direct sunlight—to kill both the mites and their eggs. Additionally, maintaining good personal hygiene practices, such as bathing regularly and frequently changing clothes, is also an important measure to prevent scabies infestation.