How Do You Get Scabies?
Scabies are HIGHLY contagious. Here are the most common ways you can get scabies.
The Most Common Way People Get Scabies Infestations is Sexual Activity.
Scabies mites (also known as Sarcoptic Mange) are human parasites. They live inside and on top of human skin. The easiest way for scabies to transfer to another person is with prolonged skin-to-skin contact. And that happens most commonly with sexual activity.
Can You Get Scabies From a Handshake?
While some researchers downplay the possibility of catching scabies from a simple handshake, it is possible to get scabies that way. Scabies produce a horrible itching sensation and people will scratch what itches. Therefore, it is very possible that an infested person will have scabies mites on their hands at any given moment. If scabies are on someone’s hand when you shake their hand, it is possible you could get your own scabies infestation that way - especially if you happen to scratch yourself before you wash your hands.
Can You Get Scabies from Clothing, Bedding & Furniture?
Since scabies will occasionally come to the surface of the skin of an infested person, they can be transferred to the clothing of the person. If you happen to have prolonged contact with clothing, bedding or furniture (including automobiles, busses, airplanes, theaters, etc) where a scabies infested person has been, it is possible for you to become infested.
The chances of this happening are low because of the short time scabies can live without their human host. But it can happen. And the odds of it happening greatly increase if you are living with a person who has scabies. This is why it is VERY IMPORTANT that where there is an infestation on someone in the family, EVERYONE in the household should be using a natural scabies treatment.
Can You Get Scabies from Dogs or Other Animals?
No.
Scabies are human parasites only. Dogs and cats and birds have their own mites that plague them. Dogs frequently get what is known as Mange. That is also an infestation of mites. But those mites are only interested in dogs. They are not a danger to you or your children.