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Skin-to-skin contact is nice, but it can also cause annoying ‘side effects’. Scabies, for example, which is an increasing problem in the Netherlands.
Scabies is becoming more and more common in the Netherlands
Since 2013, there has been an increase in the number of patients with scabies in the Netherlands. Young adults in particular suffer from it. In the past two years, the number of people who went to the GP with scabies complaints even doubled (from 1,400 patients a week in 2020, to about 2,900 patients a week in 2022). Nevertheless, many GPs have difficulty recognizing the skin condition, which makes combating it difficult in some cases.
This is how you recognize scabies
Scabies is caused by the scabies mite (Acarus scabiei). It burrows through your skin, defecates there and lays eggs there. In many people, this provokes an allergic reaction. You often see a white or red line with red bumps around it. After about two to six weeks after the infection (which you contract through skin contact, among other things), you start to itch everywhere. Especially at night. Scratching is pointless. If you have had scabies before, you will often notice the symptoms within a few days.
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Scabies is just as contagious as head lice
You can get scabies through skin contact with others. But also, for example, by sleeping in the bed of someone with scabies, and through clothing or cuddly toys. While anyone can get it, you are slightly more likely to get scabies in some situations. If you do not have the opportunity to wash yourself often and wear clean clothes, for example (think of the homeless). Or if you are weakened by a long-term low or unhealthy diet.
That’s how you get rid of it
Afraid that you suffer from scabies? Then a visit to the doctor is recommended. Fortunately, we now know better than before how to kill the mite: you get pills or a cream for it. It is necessary to follow the instructions of the doctor as closely as possible. Because the mite cannot be defeated easily, it is a stubborn creature.
You can start the washing machine yourself. At 60 degrees. All textiles that you wear or use must always be washed immediately. The person(s) with whom you shared the bed must also undergo treatment. Twelve hours after effective treatment, scabies is no longer contagious.
What other side effects can a game of bed birding cause?