Although it is quite easy to catch scabies, the actual rash is not contagious. A rash will develop from the mite's feces, secretions, eggs, and larvae, which can cause an allergic outcome to the body. The only transmittable link in the spread of scabies is the parasitic mite. Scabies mites rapidly reproduce when passed on to a person and infest their host with results ending in scabies rash symptoms. You will see these symptoms in about 3 to 6 weeks of the transmission of the mites to their new host. With the first infestation, the body creates a "memory" of the allergen that makes allergic reactions happen faster during subsequent infestations.
Scabies rash is usually the first symptom to be noticed and may take 2-4 months to heal after the scabies have been successfully eradicated from the host with a scabies treatment. Even when the scabies are properly treated and eradicated, the rash will continue for some time! Don't be alarmed when this happens as the look of the rash changes and it slowly goes away along with the itch. This is because even after the mites die, they remain under the skin and continue to produce allergens that cause the scabies rash. The mites leave behind toxic substances to the human body. New and healthy skin gradually moves up from lower layers to cover the damaged area.
You can get a break from itchy skin by putting on cream for scabies that is rich in shea butter and you can take benadryl to quell your allergy symptoms. If after the treatment for scabies the rash comes back and intensifies after a few weeks, it indicates that the treatment was unsuccessful, that you have been re-infested and will need to repeat or change the treatment.
