[toc]Scabies is a skin condition that is caused by little bugs or mites. It is characterised by severe redness and itching. The spread of the infection is fast because it is spread by contact from person to person. Infants, children and older people are more susceptible to this infection because they have a lower immune status. You won’t be able to see the mites that are causing the infection since they are microorganisms, but you can definitely notice the small bump and skin rashes that have an appearance like a pimple.
Scabies may spread in hospitals or nursing homes where there are many sick people and immunity is generally low. You could also get scabies because of the mites in your pet’s fur or heavy wool linens. It is very easy to treat the infection and only one dose of antibiotics is enough. It is best to be safe than sorry so you should take measures to prevent the disease rather than treating it. Here are some simple ways in which you can prevent scabies:
5 Various Preventions For Scabies
Wash Linens And Clothes
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Cleanliness is a very important factor when it comes to prevention of scabies. Any wool linens, bed sheets or blankets must be washed thoroughly with a mild detergent and disinfectant on a regular basis.
The disinfectant will drive away any living bacteria or microorganisms that are living in your linens which may cause an infection. In addition to linens, you must also wash your clothes, curtains, towels and other napkins on a regular basis to keep away the infection.
Get Checked
If a certain family member has an attack of scabies, it is best if everyone in the family get themselves checked. When you begin to see the first signs of scabies in any family member, the other members should be checked for the presence of the disease.
Since scabies is spread by contact, people who are in close contact with each other and share quite a lot of things may be susceptible in getting the infection as well. The diagnosis should preferably be done by a doctor, as it is important to determine the type of mite in the body.
Isolation Of Infected Person
If one child in a class gets the infection, there is a chance everyone else might catch it as well. So ask the affected child to stay away from school for a couple of days until they are completely well again. You must also not share things like clothes and linens with the affected person since mites tend to get through via that route.
Keep the things that the affected person uses isolated and make sure that you wash all of it once the person starts seeking treatment. With one dose of antibiotics, the person is no longer contagious. Mites spread very fast and multiply quickly too. This is another important prevention tip, as once the body is infected; the disease will not go away unless it is treated.
Maintain Good Hygiene
Poor hygiene doesn’t cause scabies but it can always aggravate the condition and spread it to other people as well. Keep all your clothes and linen clean and keep your body clean as well. You must also wash your clothes on a daily basis and not accumulate used clothes for washing.
You must maintain a clean and hygienic surrounding to prevent the onset of scabies in the house. Also remember not to scratch the rashes because it might spread to other places as well.
Starve The Mites
The mite stay for 1 to 2 months when they are on a person. However, when off a person, the mites usually die within 48 to 72 hours. If the mites are exposed to a temperature of over 50C or 122F, they can die within 10 minutes. For items that you cannot wash, leave it inside a plastic bag in places that are completely unusual like the backyard or garage.
The mites will die if they don’t eat for a week. Therefore, you won’t even have to call for pest control in order to get rid of them. Preventing scabies can be tricky if you don’t pay attention to it at once. It is simple but you need to be thorough in taking preventive measures.