Environmental Treatment for Scabies
Decontaminate all bedding, clothing, and towels by machine washing and drying using hot cycles, or dry cleaning, and remove items from body contact for at least 72 hours if washing is not possible. 1
Essential Environmental Decontamination Steps
Laundry Management
- Machine wash and dry all bedding, clothing, and towels using hot cycles (hot water wash followed by hot dryer cycle) 1, 2
- For items that cannot be washed, use dry cleaning as an alternative 1
- Place non-launderable items in a sealed plastic bag and remove them from body contact for at least 72 hours (some sources suggest up to 2 days minimum, or 3 weeks for maximum rigor) 1, 3
- Run items through a dryer for 10 minutes on high heat setting to effectively kill mites 3
Furniture and Carpets
- Vacuum all furniture and carpets thoroughly after treatment is completed 3
- Focus on areas where you spend significant time (beds, couches, chairs) 3
What NOT to Do
- Do not fumigate your living areas—this is unnecessary and not recommended by the CDC 1
- Avoid excessive environmental decontamination beyond the basic measures listed above 1
Critical Timing Considerations
- Complete all environmental decontamination after your treatment is finished, not before 4
- The scabies mite cannot survive more than 2-3 days away from human skin, which is why the 72-hour isolation period for items is effective 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Failure to decontaminate fomites (contaminated items) is a major cause of treatment failure and reinfection 3
- Not treating all household members and close contacts simultaneously while decontaminating the environment can lead to re-infestation 1, 2
- Remember that environmental measures alone are insufficient—all close contacts within the preceding month must be examined and treated even if asymptomatic 1, 2