Dermatology Specialist Dr. stated that there has been a serious increase in scabies cases recently and that there are always at least two scabies cases in patients who come for examination. Vildan Yazıcı said, “Scabies is a disease transmitted by contact. Scabies cannot be transmitted by brief handshakes, or the probability is lower. However, it can be transmitted by hugging for a longer period of time, using the same personal items, the same bed, towels and clothes. There is also a risk of contracting scabies from the clothes we try on in stores. “If the clothes we tried on were tried by someone with scabies before us, the disease could be transmitted to us as well, so it would be better to be careful,” he said.
THOSE WHO HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE PATIENT SHOULD BE TREATED
Dr. said that scabies does not cause symptoms immediately. Yazıcı said, “Symptoms do not start immediately. Scabies symptoms appear within 2 to 6 weeks after the scabies mite settles on the skin. We call this period the incubation period. Therefore, in the treatment of scabies, people in close contact with the patient should also be treated, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. This is very important for the success of the treatment. Symptoms usually begin to ease once you start treatment. “However, treatment may take weeks for the scabies mite to die completely and the symptoms to disappear completely,” he said.
ITEMS SHOULD BE WASHED AT 60 DEGREES DURING THE TREATMENT PROCESS
Emphasizing that scabies mites cannot survive in high temperatures, Dr. Yazıcı said, “All clothes worn in the last week and other items used in the last week should be washed at at least 60 degrees to kill the scabies parasite and its eggs. Because scabies mites cannot survive in high temperatures. Unwashable laundry should be placed in a black garbage bag, tightly closed and kept for a week. While cleaning the house, items such as carpets and sofas should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner to collect scabies mite eggs. Frequently used surfaces such as tables and door handles can also be cleaned by wiping them with vinegar water. But never wipe the infected skin area with vinegar. We get these kinds of questions a lot. There are questions about whether vinegar is good for scabies. There is no scientific explanation for this. In fact, contact with infected skin should be avoided as it may irritate the skin. “The disease should be treated by following the doctor’s recommendations,” he said. (DHA)
