Can scabies live on your face?

Scabies is a common skin infestation that typically affects parts of the body with folds, such as between fingers and toes, buttocks, genitals, and breasts. We’ve heard many rumors floating around about whether scabies can live on your face or not- let’s put an end to this mystery!

What Is Scabies?

Before diving into whether scabies can live on your face; Let’s first understand what it is.

Scabies is caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrow into the top layer of the skin to lay their eggs. The mites are invisible to the naked eye but appear as small bumps or blisters that may itch intensely.

How Do You Get Scabies?

The transmission usually happens through close physical contact with someone who has already contracted these bugs. It can also be spread through sharing clothes and bedding with infected persons – if you’re going to share clothes because they are in fashion at least make sure they aren’t swarming with scabby li’l buggers!

In rare cases, scabies may be transmitted through fomites (objects contaminated by infected individuals), such as shared towels.

Where Do Scabies Thrive On Your Body

As mentioned earlier, scabbies like warm crevasses found between folded areas of th skin- forcing me wonder if I’m living in some kind of real-life reverse horror movie where every single nook and cranny behind my knee has been previously inhabited unknowingly for most of my life1? Other parts of your body where you might find them include:

  • Between fingers
  • Wrist
  • Elbow
  • Armpit
  • Buttock & Genitalia areas

But what about our lovely faces? Should we worry about itching more than usual due to miniature bug nests??

Can Scabies Live on Your face?

The clear answer is YES, I’m sorry to report. There have been several studies that show Sarcoptes scabiei can indeed live and thrive on human faces 2. What makes it even worse? The itching and swollen patches of inflamed skin appear to be more severe if they occur in this area (and you though the only thing making your skin sore after a rough night’s sleep was an angry partner)

Where Exactly Can They Be Found On The Face

Scabbies like to burrow into the folds of the skin- with that being said, keep an eye out for little bug-wiggle holes in these areas:

  • Eyebrows
  • Eyelashes
  • Nose
  • Mouth/Lips/Chin

While scabies on your face may ruffle a few feathers or wiggle through eyebrows3, fortunately, having mites living there doesn’t actually cause medical concerns.


Weird fact about Scabies

Not only are these guys preferred dance partners at every family reunion we’ve ever seen – but during their lifetime they safely move between multiple hosts thanks in part to alternate wiggles they give off?? Talk about getting the most out of life!


How Do You Treat Facial Scabies?

Since infestations can develop without visible signs until weeks later; anyone who might think themselves infected should visit their doctor or dermatologist for expert diagnosis(because why take any chances). Upfront warning: treating facial-scabbie situations isn’t simple- especially compared with infestations elsewhere.

Your trusted physician may prescribe:

  • Permethrin cream/exposure therapy regimen.
  • Steroid medication
    These treatments will help manage symptoms such as itchiness while killing off mites hiding in folds and crevices where other forms usually wouldn’t reach. Keep slathering well because full elimination won’t happen for a few weeks – if your roommates think you’re being goofy applying cream to every nook and cranny they can pry it out of my cold, asymptomatic hands!

How Can You Prevent Facial Scabies?

Prevention is much better than dealing with scabbies after contraction. Segregate infected persons who have direct contact physical activities until treatment ends! Sharing clothes or bedding should absolutely be avoided(especially during this current period in history!) No matter how tempted you are to snag that cute shirt laying off their bed- there’s nothing adorable about possibly contracting contagious ecto-parasites!


Home Prevention Tips

A few other practical ways for preventing facial infestations (or re-infestations) include:

  1. Regularly wash all clothing and bedding in hot water/dryer heat.
  2. Keep household surfaces clean and lint-free!
  3. Vacuums frequently-employed!
  4. Remember: Anything not sprouting from the earth is NOT an acceptable linen replacement material.

Final thoughts

Even though scabies on your face might have warm homes right now, don’t worry too much about them giving birth at present—That bitty crawling colony won’t stick around long when given proper awareness and care!

So order yourself some linens online, stock up on vinegar(linens need cleaning), and wear gloves when wrapping those beautiful new throw pillows as gifts(you never know who could use one of these little pests!).Stay safe everyone!


  1. In case you couldn’t tell- we are insects 🐜 

  2. Dermatology Online Journal 13 (4): 10 

  3. It doesn’t help that my brows resemble small forests currently…. 

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