Scabies in the workplace - coworker!

[newholidayx2]

If we havent been actually holding her hand do we still need to worry about getting them? I do have a call into my own doctor

 

[vettechick99]

I think it takes more than hand holding to get scabies. You need to really be sharing things like clothing, beds, hygiene products or towels.

Google just to make certain, though.

 

[Cindyluwho]

There's a great website you can check out that should answer each and every one of your questions: http://www.headlice.org Even though it's a headlice website, it answers all questions on Scabies as well. At least you can get enough info to ease your mind...hopefully.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Scabies isn't fun, but it's not super easy to get, if I remember right. It looks like poison ivy, at least in a child and can manifest itself in an itching in the "webbing" between the fingers in an adult. I'd suffered from that itching for quite a while, not knowing what the problem was. Once I was treated for it (because my son got the poison ivy looking problem) it cleared up and hasn't returned. That was about 8 years ago so I don't remember all the details.

 

[tiff211]

ICK!! I had scabies about 10 years ago. It is the WORSE!! The way it is transfered is through hair, clothing, bed linens, towels, etc. They are such a hassle to get rid of. They burrow underneath your skin and like areas like inbetween your fingers and toes, back of your knees and the insides of your elbows!! Talk about itchy. I was so skeeved out. I had to use this ointment and sleep with socks on my hands and feet. I had put all clothes that I had used within the last two weeks, and bed clothes also in a garbage bag and let it sit for awhile (I forget how long). Then I had to wash everything in hot water. I guess they can live eating dead skin that flakes in clothes for up to 14 days. And if you wash the clothes, they can hold their breath. I can't try on clothes because of this, because that is the only way I think I could have gotten it. I will buy whatever and let it sit in the bag for awhile.....just in case. Ugh!! I am all itchy now!!! As long as you aren't sharing anything but office gossip, you should be ok.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

My DD8 got scabies from the babysitters while my DD4 did not---not quite sure how that came to be but was glad nontheless---Provider said it came from the yard....?
Not knowing what it was and the fact it got worse quickly I took her to the ER-doc there said it could have come from wearing others clothes,sitting on the couch or from the yard he said it was hard to say for sure--but since they reproduce so fast and neither DD4 or I had it--I made him check!!!--Then it did come from the daycare----She was given a tube of cream can't remember the name and I had to put it on her from head to toe including ears and soles of her feet and she had to sleep w/it on then shower using a washcloth to scrub loose skin away----It worked the itching stopped her skin healed up and she hasn't had it again and that was 3 years ago--------Oh and I got a new babysitter and called the main office about the provider so in case anyone else got it theyd know where it came from.

I was seriously wigged out about the scabies I'm itching now just remembering it

 

[Auggiedaugie]

As others have said, if you have not had close personal contact with the individual there is most likely nothing to worry about. Two things to add: the itchy bumps are your body's reaction to the decaying mite and this can take up to a month to happen. Also, the medication you receive is no joke. DD had them when she was three....have no clue from where.....and the bottle actually came with a skull and cross bones on it and a big label reading POISON. I've NEVER seen that in actuality! She slept in the same bed with DH and I and neither of us ever got it. Needless to say I was grossed out and am still completely obsessive about creepy crawly things, YUCK! Made me bonkers.

 

[Disney Doll]

Close physical contact for an extended period of time is how they are spread.

Chances are you'll be fine, but if you notice itchiness or a rash, call your doctor.

As a nurse, I've been exposed to scabies and lice numerous times, never got it.

 

[ducklite]

I had them about 25 years ago. The only place we can figure I got them was from horseback riding. I used to ride weekly at a place that was "iffy" as far as the care of the horses (didn't know better back then.)

If you have a cut or wound they can get in easily, and that's what we think happened.

Anne

 

[zippeedee]

I don't know if it was necessary or just an over-reaction to make people feel better, but when an employee at my prior company got head-lice from her daughter, they took out all the chairs in her office area and the conference rooms she's been in and had them steam-cleaned.

 

[Deb in IA]

If we havent been actually holding her hand do we still need to worry about getting them?

How did I get scabies?
By direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person already infested with scabies. Contact must be prolonged (a quick handshake or hug will usually not spread infestation). Infestation is easily spread to sexual partners and household members. Infestation may also occur by sharing clothing, towels, and bedding.

from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/scabies/factsht_scabies.htm

 

[bsusanmb]

DD and DSIL adopted a baby boy from Russia. When they picked him up at the orphanage in Siberia, he was covered with scabies. He was 13 months at the time. and he itched so badly that he rubbed his foot against the crib until it was bleeding. His head was scratched open and he had a staph infection (impetigo) in the open areas. We all had to be treated. His scabies cleared up very quickly, but we had to use the product that causes cancer.