How long can scabies mites survive off the human body before dying?
Disease description:
This week, my genital area has been frequently itchy; it turns out to be caused by a scabies mite infection. How long will scabies mites survive after leaving the human body?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
The survival time of scabies mites after leaving the human body is influenced by various factors, especially environmental conditions. In warm, humid environments, such as when the temperature is maintained between 15-31°C with high humidity, scabies mites can survive for extended periods, typically ranging from 1 to 7 days, and may even continue to reproduce and lay eggs during this time, hatching new mites. If the environment is unfavorable to scabies mites, such as in high-temperature conditions exceeding 50°C, their survival time is significantly reduced, typically dying within 10 minutes. Therefore, to effectively control and prevent scabies mite infestations, maintaining a clean and dry environment, and disinfecting potentially infested items under high-temperature conditions can significantly reduce the survival time of scabies mites and lower the risk of transmission and infection.
