The introduction week for new students in Nijmegen has begun. During this exciting week, students meet many new people and take part in a wide range of social activities. While it is a great opportunity to make new friends, it is also a time when scabies can spread more easily. So how can you tell whether you have scabies?
Medical microbiologist Matthew McCall explains:
'To become infected with scabies, you usually need prolonged skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the infection, for example by sharing a bed. You cannot catch scabies from shaking hands, sitting next to someone in a lecture hall, or standing together in a bar. However, scabies mites can survive for up to three days on clothing, bedding, and upholstered surfaces such as sofas. As a result, sharing these items can also lead to infection.
Scabies is caused by a tiny mite that burrows into the skin and creates small tunnels. This can cause intensely itchy bumps and flaky patches, often between the fingers, around the wrists, or in the genital area. One of the most common complaints is itching so severe that it keeps people awake at night.
Perhaps the most deceptive aspect of scabies is that symptoms often do not appear for several weeks. Following a first infection, it can take four to six weeks before itching develops. By the time symptoms appear, the mites may already have been passed on to others without the person realizing it.
Diagnosing scabies with certainty is not always straightforward. Doctors may be able to identify the characteristic burrows using a magnifying glass or by examining skin scrapings. At Radboud university medical center, we are therefore collaborating with partners, including the Municipal Health Services (GGD) of Utrecht and Amsterdam, to develop new methods that make diagnosing scabies easier and faster. For example, we are investigating whether people can collect their own skin scrapings for scabies testing.'
If you think you may have scabies, contact your general practitioner. They can help confirm the diagnosis and advise on treatment. More information is available from GGD Gelderland-Zuid and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
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