Scabies is a contagious skin condition, that affects almost 300 million people yearly, caused by a microscopic mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. It spreads through physical contact and can cause a widespread outbreak. These little bugs attack your skin and make it their home, resulting in itching, rashes, and blisters. It is highly contagious, and you can catch it by being near someone who is infected. The more knowledgeable we are, the easier it is to prevent the mites from jumping from one person to the other.

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1.

Sexual relations with an infected person

Contrary to popular belief, you can contract scabies through sexual relations. The risk factor is immense because mites can jump on you through the slightest skin contact. What’s even more alarming is that they are contagious even when there aren’t visible signs on the skin. Having unprotected sex is always Russian roulette, but scabies makes it even more dangerous. The best thing to do would be to avoid having such relations.

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2.

Children in daycare

This is perhaps the most common way to contract scabies. When you send your child to daycare, you always aim to send him or her to the best environment possible. What you cannot control, however, is the way other parents take care of their kids. Your child might end up contracting scabies, and through them, your whole family could become infected. Having your child play with lots of other kids is always a health risk.

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3.

Public transport

Public transportation might be the easiest way to get infected. A simple brush with someone infected might jeopardize your health. If you see someone with suspicious rashes on their skin, don’t hesitate to move away. It’s always best to play it safe.

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4.

Hospitals

Despite hospitals being places for treating disease, they also carry a significant risk. By lying in a bed after someone who had scabies, you might get infected. The best way to prevent this from happening is to provide yourself with best medical care. No matter how much it costs, you should always choose the cleanest and most sterile facility. Things might get complicated if you had a risky surgery and your immunity is at risk. You wouldn’t want scabies to mess up your recovery process.

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5.

Waiting rooms in health care centers

Aside from hospitals, waiting rooms are another breeding ground for scabies. Many people with health problems are sitting in one room. That’s a recipe for medical disaster. If you’re already in need of medical care, it wouldn’t be wise to risk contracting scabies. When entering the room, assess the situation and see what kinds of risk the room may carry. The best possible thing to do would be not to sit next to anyone and stand. Yes, it may tire you, but it’s best not to risk jeopardizing your health further. If the medical facility isn’t in good condition, leave and get care somewhere else.

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6.

Gym locker rooms

Imagine lots of sweaty people passing through the same room, day in and day out. Although gym personnel clean the locker rooms a few times a day, it can be in vain. There is only so much that they can do to prevent scabies from spreading. They can’t control who brings them in and what kinds of people come in. The best thing to do is choose a gym that has good cleaning methods. If you don’t have to, don’t sit on the benches and don’t leave your clothes lying around. Being careful goes a long way.

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7.

Fitting rooms at stores

When store clerks take returned apparel, they don’t wash it. You can’t know who wore it before you and whether they had scabies or not. That’s why it’s good to get to know the cleaning policy of every store and see how they deal with the clothes. If you try anything on, be aware that it carries risk.

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8.

Cafes at beaches

Beaches are another place you risk getting infected with scabies. Especially with sunbeds, as they see hundreds of people lying in them every day. You never know who was there before you and if the personnel clean them at all. If you’re going to use sunbeds, make sure you put your towel on them and wipe them with wet wipes. That way, you will be sure that the risk of getting scabies is minimal.

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9.

Doorknobs

There is a common saying that the doorknob is dirtier than the toilet. That saying is completely true. It is so because hands touch everything and get in contact with everything. The only viable solution to this problem is to wash your hands every chance you can. It’s the only foolproof way of combating the risk of scabies. It may take some time getting used to, but it’s for the greater good.

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10.

Public computers

Keyboards and mice are the dirtiest places on the planet. People spend hours using them, sweating and shedding dead skin all over them. It’s an excellent opportunity to contract mites and get scabies. If you can, you should lessen your use of public and shared computers. You have no knowledge about who uses them and how. If your company insists that you use a shared laptop, don’t be afraid to refuse. Having your device will do wonders for eliminating health risks. Your health and well-being should always be the priority.

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This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information on this site as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for, professional counseling care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.