Getting Scabies While Living in a Car: Here’s What New Nomads Need to Know

When I went to the doctor for a rash, I wasn’t expecting the diagnosis.

Scabies.

What I really wasn’t expecting was what my doctor said next. After looking at the rash and hearing that I live in my car, he asked:

“You sleep in the dirt, right?”

I’ll be honest—I was a little offended.

My immediate reaction was, No I don’t.

But then I sat with it for a second and realized…

Yeah. I actually do.

The Reality No One Talks About

If you live in your car or SUV, your bed isn’t just your bed.

It’s your couch.

Your changing room.

Your storage space.

Your everything.

And if you’re anything like me, you’re changing out of your day clothes into your night clothes while sitting or lying right on that bed.

Which means whatever you picked up throughout the day—dust, sweat, bacteria, whatever else—is getting transferred directly into the place where you sleep.

Over time, that builds up.

Not because you’re lazy.

Not because you’re “gross.”

But because the environment makes it easy to happen.

How This Probably Happened

Looking back, it makes sense.

• I don’t shower every day when I’m boondocking

  
  

• A lot of the time, I’m using wipes instead of a full shower

  
  

• I might only get a real shower once a week at a gym or truck stop

  
  

• I change clothes on my bed

  
  

• My bedding doesn’t get washed as often as it would in a traditional home

  
  

Individually, none of that seems like a big deal.

But combined? It creates the perfect conditions for something like this.

Let’s Talk About the “Dirty” Label

There’s a stereotype that nomads are dirty.

And here’s the truth:

Sometimes…yeah, we are.

But dirty doesn’t mean disgusting.

And it definitely doesn’t mean poor or careless.

It means you’re living in a way where:

• Water isn’t always readily available

  
  

• Laundry isn’t always convenient

  
  

• Your living space is about the size of a closet

  
  

You adapt. You do your best. But it’s not the same as having a full bathroom and laundry room 10 steps away.

That distinction matters.

Treatment Is No Joke

My doctor prescribed Permethrin cream, which is the standard treatment.

And I’ll be real with you—it’s not a fun process.

You have to cover your entire body from the neck down and leave it on for hours. Every inch. No shortcuts.

I was also told about Ivermectin as an additional treatment option that some people use. But it's not FDA approved, so he sent me to get it in Mexico, where you can buy it over the counter for a fraction of the cost of the US.

Between treating your body, your clothes, and your bedding, it becomes a whole operation—not just a quick fix.

What I’m Doing Differently Now

This experience forced me to change a few habits:

• I’m being more intentional about separating “day clothes” and “sleep clothes”

  
  

• I’m avoiding changing directly on my bed whenever possible

  
  

• I’m treating and washing my bedding more frequently

  
  

• I’m paying closer attention to how long I go without a real shower

  
  

None of this is extreme. It’s just more awareness.

What New Nomads Should Know (Before This Happens to You)

If you’re new to vehicle life, here’s what I wish I understood earlier:

• Your bed is the most important space you have—protect it

  
  

• Don’t wear outside clothes where you sleep if you can avoid it

  
  

• Create some kind of system for dirty clothes (even a simple bag helps)

  
  

• Wash your bedding more often than you think you need

  
  

• Take real showers when you can—not just wipes

  
  

You don’t need to be perfect. But a little prevention goes a long way.

Final Thought

Living on the road is freeing in ways that are hard to explain unless you’ve done it.

But it also comes with realities that people don’t always talk about.

This is one of them.

It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

It just means you’re living differently—and different comes with its own set of challenges.

If you’re prepared for them, they’re manageable.

If you’re not…you might end up learning the hard way, like I did.