Hello! Thank you for trusting HCM! Scabies is very contagious, and direct skin-to-skin contact is the mode of transmission. Scabies mites are very sensitive to their environment. They can only live off of a host body for 24-36 hours under most conditions. Transmission of the mites involves close person-to-person contact of the skin-to-skin variety, so risk factors include close contact with an infested person. Only drug usage is not important but you should avoid close personal contact with infested people, which can prevent scabies. Sexual contacts and household members of people who develop scabies can be treated as soon as the condition is identified so that they will not develop the signs or symptoms of the condition. The treatment for these exposed people is the same as the treatment of the infested individual. Drugs such as Ivermetrine, Lindane, Gamaxin, Benzyl Benzoate lotions are useful. Apply a mite-killer like Permethrin. These creams are applied from the neck down, left on overnight and then washed off. This application is usually repeated in seven days. Permethrin is approved for use in people 2 months of age and older and is considered to be the safest and most effective treatment for scabies. If symptoms persist, please consult your dermatologist. He will examine and treat you accordingly. Take care