Scabies in the district: alarm level red in skin disease!

Scabies in the district: alarm level red in skin disease!

In the past few months, worrying growth has been registered in the district of Fulda in cases of scabies, also known as skabies. The health department of the Hersfeld-Rotenburg district reported similar trends, which indicates an upcoming crisis in both regions. Statistics show that skin disease occurs increasingly, especially during the winter months. This seasonal accumulation is due to closer social contacts as well as the increased survival time of the mites on textiles, which is conveniently preserved in cold months. Fuldaer Zeitung reports that the skabic mites around 34 degrees Celsius survive while over 50 degrees die after just a few minutes.

The infection often happens in facilities with dense contact, such as nursing homes, homeless and asylum accommodation. Experts warn that hygienic measures are crucial to contain the spread of the disease. This includes changing clothing, bed linen and towels as well as washing at least 60 degrees. Textiles that cannot be washed should be packed airtight and kept for four days, while carpets and upholstery have to be sucked intensively. In the event of violent infestation, it can also be worth considering a specialist cleaning.

symptoms and diagnostics

The initial symptoms of skabies are often a strong burning of the skin and intensive itching, which increases at bed heat. Itching can, once triggered, also affect other skin regions. Typical affected areas are the gaps between the fingers, calves, elbows and in the genital area. The facial area and the scalp can be affected in particular in infants and toddlers. infection protection.de indicates that the course of the disease often becomes chronic, and about the highly contagious form of skabies, which is known as scabies crustosa,, should be reported.

To clarify a suspicion of infection, it is advisable to have a house or dermatologist examined. The diagnosis is usually done using beak microscopy. The common therapy usually consists of a cream that has to be applied twice over a period of 10 to 14 days. In some cases, tablets may also be required.

prevention and reporting obligation

In the context of the scabies, hygiene measures are essential. These should not only be implemented by those affected, but also by their close contact persons. In order to continue to minimize the risk of infection, it is advisable to treat all contact persons at the same time. Robert Koch Institute informs about the reporting obligation in Germany only for daycare, schools and care facilities in Germany consists. There are only sporadic reports in the Fulda district, and an increase in 2024 was found in a nursing home in relation to an outbreak.

A healthy handling of hygienic standards and early diagnosis are crucial to curb the spread of skabies. The company is called to pursue proven measures for prevention and not to keep the disease to ensure that the public remains well informed and protected.