How to treat scabies – NRK Troms and Finnmark

In Tromsø, the municipality is experiencing an increase in the number of cases of scabies

This is confirmed by Trond Brattland, head of infection control in Tromsø municipality.

– We occasionally get calls from nurseries who are struggling to get rid of scabies. Based on national figures on, among other things, the sale of scabies remedies, one can get the impression of a large increase in the last ten years.

– There is no reason to believe that Tromsø has less scabies than others, so the incidence is probably high here too, he says.

Russetida is just around the corner. The Russian group Barfly at Breivang high school in Tromsø tries to keep the scabies “in the back of your mind” during the celebrations.

– It’s something we should think about when we’re out for a ride and are in a team with other drunks. And that maybe we shouldn’t jump around everyone in Tromsø, and that we stick to our group, says Signe Birkeland Johnsen to NRK.

– Can take a month

According to Bratland, the time from when you become infected until you develop symptoms can be long.

– It can take a month from when you are infected until you get symptoms. So when you get symptoms, you have usually had scabies for perhaps a month, and may have infected others during that period.

The typical symptom of scabies is the sudden onset of a very itchy rash. Typical nocturnal itching, according to the infection control supervisor.

– I don’t think you can think too much about avoiding. Then you would have had to avoid having physical contact with others, and it is difficult to manage, says Bratland.

The infection control supervisor nevertheless has some tips for what you should do if you suspect that you have been infected:

Contact a doctor

If you suddenly get a very itchy rash, especially at night or when you sweat, contact your doctor.

Notify others

When you have been diagnosed with scabies, inform those you may have infected.

Be careful

Carry out the treatment to the letter. Be especially careful with the lubrication.

– Scabies must be treated. It doesn’t go away by itself. There is a lot of work with the treatment, and if you don’t do it completely correctly, you run the risk of not being successful, and then there will be new rounds of treatment. Then it can be both troublesome and expensive, says Bratland.

Avoid new infection

According to Sex og samfunn’s website, scabies dies after six days if it is not in contact with skin. It also does this if it is exposed to very high temperatures. Here is advice to prevent re-infection:

1. Wash all clothes, towels, bedding, stuffed animals, blankets, duvets and pillows you have been in contact with in the last week at 60 degrees. Clothes that cannot be washed at 60 degrees are put away for seven days (until you have smeared yourself with the second dose of cream).

2. Remove the mobile cover from the mobile phone and put it away for seven days.

3. Shoes that have been in use in the last week are put away for seven days. Remember that this also applies to work clothes and shoes.

4. Vacuum the bed and mattress as a minimum. Turn mattress topper. The bed can be covered with plastic (for example, plastic cover for paint that can be bought in hardware stores), or it can be left unused for seven days.

5. A sofa that someone has slept on must be vacuumed thoroughly. It can be covered with plastic or left unused for seven days.

6. Change the bedclothes before the first application, then change again the next day.

The infection control specialist adds that if several people who have close contact are usually diagnosed with scabies, they should all be treated at the same time.

– Scabies mites are not really that contagious or dangerous. Mone, once you get it, it can be very troublesome, and expensive, he concludes.