The lifespan of scabies on clothes is short compared with the length of time that a person might have to deal with an active scabies infestation. Human infestations can be quickly eradicated with prescription medications. However, because scabies can continue to live in clothes and other personal items even after you've killed the scabies mites that took up residence in your skin, it's extremely important that the little loiterers that linger in your clothes be exterminated as well.
How Long Do Scabies Live?
The scabies mite responsible for human infestations has a lifespan of one to two months once it finds a human host, says the Centers for Disease Control. The mite needs a human blood source to survive--that would be you--and cannot live very long without food. When not laying eggs in a burrow or lingering on human skin, the scabies mite can live two or three days in other places, such as clothing, linens and bedding, towels and other personal items.
Treating Scabies
Once a scabies infestation is identified by a doctor, prescription treatment is recommended--usually a lotion that contains permethrin or crotamiton. These are applied to the entire body from the neck down and left on for around eight hours before they are washed off. This medication will kill the scabies mites and their eggs that live in your skin, but not those on your clothes.
Treating Your Clothes
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all clothing and undergarments you wore two to three days before your scabies treatment be washed in hot water that's at least 130 degrees F and dried on high heat for at least 20 minutes. Scabies can be passed onto others through contaminated bedding, linens, towels and other cloth effects, so these need to be washed and dried as well.
Items That Can't Be Washed
Some of your clothing may not be laundered, such as wool coats and scarves. Pillows and stuffed children's toys may not be washable either. These items can be stored in a sealed plastic container and placed outside of your home until the scabies mites die from starvation. The CDC recommends keeping items stored for at least 72 hours; however, the American Social Health Association recommends storage for at least two weeks.
What Else Needs to Be Treated?
You don't need to have your home professionally fumigated to kill remaining scabies, nor are your family pets at risk for getting the scabies mite. However, carpeted areas, rugs and furniture should be thoroughly vacuumed and the vacuum bag disposed of outside of the home right away.
Tags: scabies mite, scabies mites, Centers Disease, Centers Disease Control, Disease Control
