Scabies

What is scabies?

It is an infectious disease caused by scabies mites that affects only the skin. "Scabies still exists!" It occurs all the time and is not directly related to hygienic conditions. Scabies can be treated well. Due to the long incubation period (time from infection to outbreak of disease), spread often goes unnoticed at first. It takes about 4 weeks until the mites have multiplied to such an extent that clear symptoms are noticeable (see below). During this long incubation period, other people can be infected unintentionally.

How is scabies transmitted?

Transmission of the scabies mite almost always occurs through close body contact from person to person. Rarely, transmission occurs through bedding, clothing, stuffed animals or upholstered furniture. Unlike house dust mites, itch mites always require a human host, which is the only way they can survive and multiply. Outside the skin, the mites live only 2 to 3 days. If the scabies mites get onto the skin, they burrow into the skin in about 30 minutes and lay their eggs in a tunnel about 0.5 cm long under the skin. In about 20 days, reproductive mites develop from the eggs. In case of initial infection, the first symptoms appear after 2 - 5 weeks.

How do I recognize a scabies infection?

Symptoms include burning and itching of the skin (especially at night), scratch marks, nodules and pustules. Rarely, mite ducts are visible. Commonly affected areas are: Finger interdigits, wrists, elbows, the chest, armpits, and all areas of skin in the underwear area. The back is rarely infested, and the head and neck are usually left out in adults.

Behavior with scabies infections

If your child is infected, the kindergarten/school may only be visited again when, according to medical judgement, the child is no longer a risk of infection. For this purpose, the doctor must re-examine the child after appropriate treatment and issue a written medical certificate stating that there is no longer any risk of infection (i.e. that there are no longer any living mites). The legal guardians or adult students are obliged to inform the community institution.

(Kindergarten/School) about the scabies infection.

The medication kills the mites. However, this does not at all mean that the skin lesions will also heal immediately. Healing can take days to a few weeks without any risk of infection for the surrounding area.

Cleaning and disinfection measures

Since scabies mites require a human host to reproduce, no disinfection measures are required in the community facility. Only thorough vacuuming of upholstered furniture, mattresses, and carpets is recommended. Soft toys that cannot be washed at 60°C should be stored in closed plastic bags for 7 days or frozen for a short time, as this will reliably kill the mange mites. Itch mites die within minutes at a temperature of 50°C, so bed linen and towels should be washed at 60°C.