How is scabies contracted?
Disease description:
I suddenly developed red bumps on my neck; my doctor diagnosed it as scabies. How does one contract scabies?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by infestation with the scabies mite (*Sarcoptes scabiei*). The mites can spread through direct contact—such as handshaking or sexual intercourse—or indirectly—by contact with contaminated clothing, bedding, or other fomites. Scabies mites may also infest animals (e.g., canine or rabbit scabies mites); human infection can occur upon contact with such animals, although symptoms are typically mild.
