Prevention

According to a report published in November 2017 in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, experimental research is underway to develop a vaccine to prevent scabies, though it would likely take years before it would be available. There is currently no surefire way to avoid getting scabies, other than to avoid close contact with an infested person and certain items they’ve used, such as clothing, bedding, and towels.

To ensure successful treatment and reduce the chance of re-exposure, bedding, clothing, and towels used by a person with scabies or anyone they came in close contact with must be washed in hot water and dried with high heat. You can also dry-clean these items or seal them in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours to kill any mites that may still be around. When you start treatment, vacuum your home, too.

Do You Have an STD? You’re Not the Only One

When someone has scabies, their sexual partners and any members of their household need to get treated as well — and at the same time — so that reinfestation doesn’t occur. Since human itch mites don’t survive on animals, your pet doesn’t need to be treated.

If you’re sexually active, wait to have sex until you and your partner have both finished treatment. While condoms can prevent other sexually transmitted infections, they’re not an effective barrier when it comes to the skin-to-skin contact