Scabies is a contagious disease caused by a microscopic parasite. It is not linked to poor hygiene and can affect anyone, regardless of age.
It is essential to act quickly to prevent the parasite from spreading.
How do you catch scabies? What are the effective treatments? Should the whole family be treated, should clothes be washed and should the house be disinfected?
Here’s what you need to do to get rid of it and minimise the risk of infection.

N.B.: this article is provided for information purposes only and is no substitute for your doctor’s advice.

In summary 

How do you catch scabies?

Scabies is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a microscopic mite that lives in the outermost layer of the skin. The female burrows small tunnels there to lay her eggs.

The following situations involving close contact are particularly high-risk:

• between family members;
• within a couple;
• during sexual intercourse;
• in certain communities.

Can you catch scabies from clothes or bed linen?

Yes, but it is less common. Transmission via clothes or bed linen is mainly possible in severe forms of scabies (profuse or hyperkeratotic), as the person then has many more mites on their skin [2].

This is why both the person and the textiles must be treated.

What are the symptoms of scabies?

The main symptom of scabies is severe itching, which is often worse at night. It is usually accompanied by small red lesions caused by the parasite or by scratching [3].

Symptoms frequently appear:

• between the fingers;
• on the wrists and elbows;
• in the armpits;
• around the navel and waist;
• on the buttocks;
• in the genital area.

Small, fine, winding lines may also be visible on the skin. These are the burrows dug by the female sarcoptic mite.

See also: Scabies: what are the symptoms and how can you recognise it?

Is scabies contagious?

Yes, scabies is a highly contagious condition. It is important to note that a person can pass on scabies before the first signs of itching appear. During an initial infestation, there is in fact an incubation period generally lasting between 4 and 6 weeks, during which there are no visible symptoms (Source: World Health Organisation).

How long is scabies contagious?

Once treatment has begun, skin-to-skin contact should be avoided for 3 days to minimise the risk of transmission. The itching, however, may persist for several weeks, but this does not necessarily mean that the person is still contagious.

How is scabies treated?

Scabies does not clear up on its own; treatment in the form of a cream (topical), tablets or both is necessary. The choice of medication will depend on the patient’s age, their state of health and the type of scabies. It is essential that people in your household are also treated [4].

Topical treatments for scabies

Topical treatments are medicines scabicides designed to eliminate Sarcoptes mites (the parasites responsible for scabies).

According to the EN National Health Insurance Scheme, two products in particular can be used to treat common scabies:

• 5 per cent permethrin, in cream form;
• benzyl benzoate, in lotion form [4].

5% permethrin is one of the main standard topical treatments for scabies [5].
The product must be applied carefully to the areas indicated by the doctor, taking care to cover skin folds and other places where the Sarcoptes mite may hide.

Make sure you follow the doctor’s instructions and the product information leaflet, particularly regardingant les zones à traiter, la durée d’application et le renouvellement éventuel du traitement.

Oral treatment

Ivermectin is the main oral treatment for scabies. This antiparasitic medicine (available on prescription only) acts on the sarcoptic mite’s nervous system to kill it.

The choice between topical treatment and ivermectin depends, in particular, on the patient’s age, weight, state of health, the type of scabies and the number of people to be treated [4][5].

Should the whole family be treated?

This precaution is important because an individual with an infestation may be contagious several weeks before the first symptoms appear. Without simultaneous treatment of those who have been in contact with the individual with an infestation, there is therefore a risk that the parasite will spread amongst members of the household once again.

Treating scabies in children or infants

In children, treatment for scabies must be tailored to their age and weight. In infants under 2 years of age, the doctor determines, in particular, which product to use and the duration of treatment. Oral ivermectin is contraindicated in children weighing less than 15 kg [4].

As with adults, treatment is not limited to the child alone: people who have had close contact with the child must be identified and treated at the same time.

Treating severe or crusted scabies

Severe scabies and crusted (or hyperkeratotic) scabies require more intensive medical management, sometimes involving isolation or admission to a single room. These forms are much more contagious than common scabies due to the large number of mites present on the skin.

Treatment generally combines oral ivermectin with the application of a scabicide to the skin. Several doses or applications may be necessary [5].

How is scabies treated during pregnancy?

Scabies can be treated during pregnancy, but the choice of medication must be made by a doctor. If you are pregnant or think you might be, tell your doctor before starting any treatment and avoid self-medication.

According to the EN National Health Insurance Scheme, treatment for scabies in pregnant women involves, first and foremost, the topical application of 5 per cent permethrin or 10 per cent benzyl benzoate, to be repeated between 8 and 14 days later.

During pregnancy, never start, stop or change a treatment for scabies without consulting a healthcare professional.

What should you do with clothes, bed linen and towels?

If you have scabies, you must eliminate any sarcoptic mites that may be present on your textiles.

Machine wash at 60 °C any laundry that may have been contaminated:

• clothes and underwear;
• sheets and pillowcases;
• blankets;
• bath towels;
• other textiles recently used during an infestation.

For clothes and textiles that cannot be washed at 60 °C, you can treat them with specialised sprays or place them in a bagplastique hermétique pendant une semaine [4].

The sarcoptic mite does not survive for long when separated from its host – 2 to 3 days, according to the World Health Organisation.

To minimise the risk of further infestation, make sure you treat the affected people and their laundry at the same time.

See also: Bed bugs: how to wash your clothes and bedding?

Do you need to disinfect the whole house?

No, there is no need to disinfect your entire home if you have common scabies. The sarcoptic mite survives for only a short time outside the human skin.

You can still:

• vacuum sofas, armchairs, carpets and mattresses thoroughly;
• clean surfaces and objects that are used regularly;
• avoid sharing towels, clothes and bedding whilst treatment is ongoing;
• dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag after use, or empty and clean the dust compartment.

However, greater precautions are required in cases of severe or hyperkeratotic scabies, as the number of mites present in the environment may be much higher. In this case, demandez conseil à votre médecin.

How long does scabies last after treatment?

Depending on how your skin reacts, they may even get worse for one to two weeks after treatment begins. So continuing to scratch does not necessarily mean that the scabies treatment has failed.

How can you tell if the treatment has worked?

In principle, the itching and lesions gradually disappear. However, recovery from scabies must be assessed over time.

Consult your doctor again if:

• the itching does not subside as expected or worsens persistently;
• new lesions or new rashes appear;
• other people in your household develop symptoms;
• you think you may have been exposed to a person with an infestation again.

If in doubt, do not restart treatment on your own initiative. Your doctor must determine whether this is a case of persistent itching following recovery, treatment failure or re-infectionnation.

How can you prevent re-infection?

Having had scabies does not protect you against a new infestation. It is therefore possible to catch scabies more than once, particularly if someone you live with is still carrying the parasite [6].

To minimise the risk of re-infection, three precautions are essential:

• treat all affected people in your household at the same time, even if some do not yet show any symptoms;
• follow the full course of the prescribed treatment, including where a second application or dose is required;
• treat laundry and textiles at the same time as the people affected by infestation to prevent further exposure to the parasite.

FAQ

Références

[1] Organisation mondiale de la Santé. Scabies (Gale). OMS, fiche d’information.

[2] Haut Conseil de la santé publique (HCSP). Survenue de un ou plusieurs cas de gale : conduite à tenir. Novembre 2012. 

[3] Assurance Maladie. Gale : symptômes, diagnostic et évolution. Ameli.fr, mise à jour le 10 novembre 2025. 

[4] Assurance Maladie. Traitement et mesures à prendre en cas de gale. Ameli.fr, mise à jour 23 avril 2025.

[5] Uzun S, Durdu M, Micali G et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies. International Journal of Dermatology, 2024.

[6] Paray A.A., Chandra M., Wani I. et al. Scabies as a Neglected Tropical Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Treatment. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 2025.

Scabies is a contagious condition that causes skin problems, mainly itching. It is caused by a parasite called Sarcoptes scabiei.
What are the symptoms in adults and children? How does it differ from other skin conditions? Here’s how to recognise scabies and its different forms.

N.B.: This article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for your doctor’s advice.

In summary

Scabies: a highly contagious skin condition

Human scabies is a parasitic skin condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, a microscopic parasite belonging to the mite family. It is transmitted between people through prolonged skin-to-skin contact [1]. For this reason, living in communal settings facilitates the spread of scabies. Schools, nurseries and care homes are frequently affected.

In practice, the female parasite burrows small tunnels into the outer layer of the skin in order to lay her eggs there. Her presence and her faeces trigger a reaction in the body, causing itching and characteristic lesions.

What are the early symptoms of scabies?

The main symptom of scabies is intense itching, which worsens at night. This itching can gradually spread to several areas of the body and affect several people within the same household [2] [3].

Skin lesions also appear: small red spots, blisters or ridges. Some are caused directly by the parasite, whilst others result from repeated scratching and may form scabs [2] [3].

👉 Upon initial infection, the symptoms of scabies do not appear immediately. According to the World Health Organisation, the incubation period is usually 4 to 6 weeks.

What do the early signs of scabies look like?

In the early stages of scabies, the first sign people often notice is an unusual itch that becomes more bothersome in the evening or at night.

Small spots may then appear between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows or around the waist. If a family member or someone living in the same household has the same symptoms, it is highly likely that they have scabies.

What are the different forms of scabies?

Scabies can take different forms depending on the number of parasites present and the extent of the lesions.

• Common scabies is the most common form. It mainly manifests as itching, which is often more intense at night, as well as spots, blisters and sometimes furrows on the skin.
• Profuse scabies causes far more numerous and widespread lesions across the body. It is much more contagious than common scabies.
• Hyperkeratotic scabies, also known as crusted scabies, is a rare but highly contagious form. In this condition, areas of skin become thickened and may form scabs containing a very large number of Sarcoptes mites.

The profuse and hyperkerattosique nécessitent une prise en charge médicale rigoureuse, notamment en raison de leur forte contagiosité.

Scabies in infants

In infants, lesions may affect, in particular, the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and the face, unlike the usual presentation of common scabies in adults [2].

In babies, look out in particular for:

• itching and restlessness, particularly at night;
• pimples, blisters or other skin lesions;
• lesions on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet;
• possible involvement of the face and scalp, which are usually spared in adults;
• lesions or nodules in the armpits and sometimes on the genitals.

There is a risk of secondary infection if your child scratches too much. Do not use a scabies treatment intended for adults without medical advice.

What do scabies spots look like?

Please note, there is no single type of spot characteristic of scabies. The appearance of the lesions varies depending on the individual, the area of the body affected and the extent of scratching.

On the skin, you may notice, in particular:

• small, slightly raised red papules;
• small blisters, sometimes filled with a clear fluid;
• red, irritated lesions;
• excoriations, i.e. small superficial sores caused by scratching;
• scabs, which may appear when the itching and scratching persist.

These scabies lesions are not always easy to identify and can be mistaken for eczema or irritation. A photo of scabies may help you spot certain similarities with your own lesions, but it is not sufficient on its own to confirm the diagnosisstic. En cas de doute, consultez un médecin.

How can you recognise the furrows caused by scabies?

The furrows caused by scabies are very characteristic of the condition.

These are the tunnels dug by the female sarcoptic mite in the outer layer of the skin in order to lay her eggs there [2][4].

Where should you look for the lines?

Look first of all:

• between the fingers,
• on the front of the wrists,
• around the elbows,
• in the armpits,
• around the navel.

On which parts of the body does scabies appear?

Certain areas are affected more often than others, and the distribution can vary depending on age or the type of scabies.

The location of the lesions varies depending on age and the type of scabies [2][3].

Can you get scabies on your face?

These areas are usually spared in adults, but may be affected in infants, young children or certain elderly or immunocompromised people.

Pimples on the face alone are therefore not enough to suggest the onset of scabies.

Scabies: how long do the symptoms last?

During a first infestation, the symptoms of scabies do not appear immediately. The incubation period is on average three weeks, but can vary from 1 to 6 weeks. In the event of re-infestation, it can be reduced to 1 to 3 days [2].

Once treatment has begun, the mites are eliminated, but the itching does not necessarily disappear straight away.

Consult your doctor again if your symptoms persist, get worse or if new lesions or ridges appear. They will be able to check whether this is a persistent skin reaction, a failure of treatment or a new infection.

Scabies or another skin condition: how can you tell the difference?

Having itchy spots does not necessarily mean you have scabies. Eczema, certain insect bites, allergies or fungal infections can cause similar symptoms. You need to take other clues into account, such as night-time itching, the location of the spots, the presence of burrows and any cases of scabies amongst those around you.

How does a doctor diagnose scabies?

During an initial clinical examination, the doctor will observe the appearance and location of the lesions and look for characteristic signs such as furrows. They will also ask you about your itching, particularly at night, and whether anyone else in your household is affected.

If there is any doubt, they may use a dermatoscope, a device that allows the skin to be examined at high magnification, making it easier to spot the sarcoptic mite in a furrow. The international IACS criteria distinguish between several levels of diagnostic certainty. Direct visualisation of the sarcoptic mite or its waste products is particularly useful for establishing a confirmed diagnosis [4].

A skin scraping may also be carried out. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for the mite, its eggs or its faeces.

In most cases, the symptoms and a skin examination are sufficient for the doctor to make a diagnosis. 

See also: Treatments for scabies

FAQ 

References

[1] Haut Conseil de la santé publique (HCSP). Survenue de un ou plusieurs cas de gale : conduite à tenir. Novembre 2012.

[2] Assurance Maladie. Gale : symptômes, diagnostic et évolution. Ameli.fr. Mise à jour : 10 novembre 2025.

[3] Paray A.A., Chandra M., Wani I. Scabies as a Neglected Tropical Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Treatment. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 2025.

[4] Engelman D, Yoshizumi J, Hay R.J. The 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies Consensus Criteria for the Diagnosis of Scabies. British Journal of Dermatology, 2020.