How Long Can I Have Scabies?
If it’s your first time to have scabies, its symptoms may only start to show after 4 to 8 weeks. But if you’ve had scabies before, the symptoms can appear in just 1 to 4 days.
See a doctor as soon as you notice scabies bites. The earlier you get treatment, the faster you recover and avoid spreading to other people.
You might still have rashes and itching for 2 to 4 weeks, even with proper treatment. This could be due to various reasons, including scabies mite reinfestation or a skin reaction to the medication.
However, if the itching continues for longer than 4 weeks, see your doctor. About 5 percent of people with scabies need a second round of treatment. In severe cases, you might need weekly treatments.
How long you have scabies can also depend on the type. Common scabies, also known as typical scabies, involves fewer mites on the skin and is easier to treat.
Crusted scabies, [4] also called Norwegian scabies, is more severe and harder to treat.