PROVINCE OF UTRECHT – In Utrecht, mange is spreading. Research agency Nivel has been seeing a steady increase in the number of scabies for years, but there seems to be an outbreak especially in student houses in Utrecht. And the treatment is not easy.
Scabies is an infectious disease caused by the scabies mite. “The mite digs tunnels under the skin and lays eggs there,” says Nadieh Taks of the GGD region of Utrecht (GGDrU). “And in response to the mite and the eggs, the skin becomes inflamed.” This causes itching, especially in the evening and at night.
The number of people with scabies has been increasing slowly since 2014, but in recent months there has at least been a significant increase in all student cities in the Netherlands. Taks: “Also among the general population. For example, in daycare centers and nursing homes.”
Hygiene plays no role in the transmission of scabies. “Anyone can get scabies,” says Taks. The mite jumps over with prolonged skin-to-skin contact or, for example, wearing the clothing of an infected person. “Or if you’re sleeping in someone’s bed.”
‘You treat scabies together’
Once you get scabies, it’s not easy to get rid of. Everyone you are in contact with must follow the rules step by step. Taks: “Treating scabies is really something you do together.” In addition to smearing with ointment, clothes should be washed hot and bedding changed. Preferably with all housemates at the same time.
Taks cannot say whether there is an official outbreak, the GGD does not keep scabies figures. “But the figures from GPs certainly show an increase. There is also an increase in the use of medication and we are called a lot. All GGDs see that.”