SCABIES

Person-to-person

Itch mites spread between humans, especially during prolonged skin contact (generally five to ten minutes), for example while playing together, cuddling, helping with personal hygiene, sharing a bed or during sexual intercourse. Shaking hands or a brief hug usually does not lead to transmission. In the case of crusted scabies (scabies crustosa), a highly contagious form of scabies, the number of mites on the skin is very high, which is why even short-term skin contact may lead to an infection.

Scabies occurs worldwide and may affect people of any age. People who are infected by other sufferers are usually members of the family or those who share a household, as well as carers and nursing staff if people in need of care are affected.

• If you experience the symptoms described above or suspect that you have scabies, you should consult a doctor immediately.
• Scabies can be treated effectively by medication referred to as scabicides. They are usually applied to the skin in the form of creams or ointments. In some cases, an oral medication can be taken in the form of tablets.
• To protect others from getting infected, sufferers should temporarily avoid prolonged direct skin contact.
• Sufferers are usually no longer contagious after completing an external treatment or 24 hours after taking tablets. Crusted scabies may often require repeat treatment until the affected persons are no longer contagious. Itching may persist for one to two weeks after the treatment.
• The clothing, underwear, towels and bed linen from those affected by scabies should be washed at a minimum of 50 °C. Objects with prolonged physical contact, such as shoes or cuddly toys, which cannot be washed or cleaned, should be stored in a dry place in sealed plastic bags for three days at a minimum temperature of 21 °C. Upholstered furniture can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or should not be used for at least two days.
• Crusted scabies requires further action. Ask your doctor of health authority for advice.
• The regulations set out in the German Protection against Infection Act apply in the case of scabies. Children and adults with or suspected of having scabies are temporarily prohibited from attending or working at community facilities such as schools or nurseries. Affected persons must inform the community facility of the diagnosed or suspected infection.
• The community facility will inform the responsible health authority of the diagnosed or suspected infection. The health authority or the attending doctor will determine when the affected person may resume attending or working at the community facility.

Your local health authority can provide you with further advice and information. It has information on the latest situation and a wealth of experience in dealing with the infection

More (specialist) information is available online from the Robert Koch Institute (www.rki.de/skabies).

Further information on infection control can be found on the website of the Federal Centre for Health Education (www.infektionsschutz.de).