Is scabies contagious?

Scabies is highly contagious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Scabies is the term used to describe an infestation of the human itch mite. The infestation is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or by coming in contact with contaminated clothing, furniture and bedding.

Symptoms of scabies include intense itching and a rash on the skin resembling pimples, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In someone who has never had scabies before, symptoms take four to six weeks to develop. If a person has had scabies before, symptoms appear one to four days after being re-exposed to the mite. Even if there are no symptoms, scabies is still contagious.