Prevention of scabies

Scabies spreads through close skin contact, so prevention is mostly about early treatment, hygiene and caring for close contacts. Because itching starts weeks after infection, people can spread it before they know they have it.

Treat early and together

• See a doctor soon if you have a night-time itch with a rash, especially if someone at home is also itching.
• Treat everyone in the household and close contacts at the same time, including sexual partners, even if they have no symptoms.

Reduce contact while infectious

• Avoid close skin contact, sharing a bed and sexual contact until a day after the first treatment is completed and a doctor says it is safe.
• Children can usually return to school the day after treatment starts, as advised by the doctor.
• Stay away from care homes or vulnerable people until treated.

Wash and clean

• Wash clothes, towels and bedding used in the last three days in hot water, and dry them in a hot dryer or strong sun.
• Seal unwashable items in a bag for at least 72 hours.
• Vacuum furniture and floors.

Do not share Avoid sharing clothes, towels, bedding and personal items with someone who has scabies.

In institutions Care homes, hostels and schools should act early when more than one person has symptoms, treat contacts together and keep records.

Good general habits Keep nails short, bathe regularly and live in clean, uncrowded spaces where possible. Poor hygiene is not the cause, but crowding and limited access to water raise the risk.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive) Traditional advice stresses cleanliness and sun-dried clothes, which agree with modern hygiene steps.

Remember Scabies is curable. The best prevention is to treat everyone who may have been exposed in the same 24 hours.