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Itchy skin disease scabies returned - these are the symptoms
The skin disease "scabies" was considered halfway defeated in Germany - but now it returns with an unpredicted fierceness. Again and again there are real outbreaks. Health experts are therefore worried.
Never completely disappeared from the scene
Scabbers: Alone when the word falls, some people are already grasping at the arm and starting to scratch. Although many think that the contagious skin disease would have died out, that is not the case. "There are always phases in which scabies accumulate, then their frequency decreases again, but the disease has never disappeared completely from the scene," said dermatologist Helmut Schöfer from the Department of Dermatology at the Frankfurt University Hospital.
Many people think the scabies are extinct. But there are always epidemics. (Image: thodonal / fotolia.com) Diagnosis and treatment increasingly an issue
The professional association of German dermatologists said that the cases of scabies increase. Although there are no concrete figures, "the feedback from dermatologists indicates an increase in the number of diseases".
In the Aachen region alone, the number of cases reported from schools and day-care centers rose from eleven (2013) to 316 (2016). "There is no explanation for this increase," spokesman for the city region Detlef Sparks said.
Skin disease is caused by itch mites
Scabies (Scabies) is a parasitic skin disease that is accompanied by red pustules, itchy rash and pain. The uncomfortable symptoms are caused by itch mites, which deposit the bugs and eggs in the skin of those affected, where they trigger allergic reactions.
This then triggers the intense itching that gave the disease its name. To see the cause of scabies in poor hygiene is, according to experts, a prejudice.
The mites usually seek out areas of the body with a thin horny layer and a higher body temperature, so that in particular finger spaces, wrists, elbows, genital area, buttocks, navel, armpits, the area behind the ears, knees, joint bends, ankles and feet are affected.
In infants, the neck and head are often affected. First, the infection runs without symptoms. Only after about two to five weeks does it come to an immune reaction with the typical symptoms.
Clinical appearance has changed
The dermatologist and lecturer at the University of Cologne, Bernhard Korge, explains that people with dry skin are more affected than people with oily skin. According to the physician, the diagnosis has become more difficult as the clinical appearance has changed and can resemble eczema.
After the correct diagnosis and the appropriate medication, the patient is no longer in danger of becoming infected after just one day.
Transmission through direct skin-to-skin contact
As a rule, scabies are transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. The risk of infection is particularly high when many people are in a small space together. According to Korge, not only kindergartens and schools but also hotel beds, nursing homes and hospitals can be breeding grounds.
Kill mites at higher temperatures
According to the RKI, scratch mites are most likely to be infectious for no longer than 48 hours at the usual room temperature and humidity in Germany (21 degrees and 40-80 percent relative humidity).
"At 34 ° C ambient, mites already survive less than 24 hours, at 50 ° C (e.g., washer, dryer) no longer than 10 minutes. By contrast, lower temperatures and a higher relative humidity increase the survival time, "say the experts.
Therefore: clothes, bed linen, towels and other items with prolonged body contact should be washed at least 50 degrees for at least ten minutes. "If this is not possible, the items and textiles can be wrapped in plastic bags or shrink wrapped in foil and stored for 72 hours at a minimum of 21 ° C," writes the RKI.
Upholstered furniture, sofa cushions or textile floor coverings can be vacuumed with a strong vacuum cleaner (filter and bag disposed afterwards) or not used for at least 48 hours. (Ad)