Scabies cases reported in Linn County

Posted on Sep 18, 2009 by Cindy Hadish.

Linn County Public Health has issued a health alert regarding multiple cases of scabies that emerged in the Cedar Rapids area this week.

Director Curtis Dickson said the type of scabies identified — Norwegian — is uncommon in this area.

Dickson said the initial case was identified at Mercy Medical Center.

The hospital quickly responded and contacted public health, he said.

Scabies is a microscopic mite that causes inflammation and skin irritation and is spread mainly through direct skin-to-skin contact. Scabies cannot float or fly in the air, Dickson said.

The skin condition can be easily treated with a topical treatment, for which a prescription is needed, and is not considered a serious health threat, he said.

Symptoms of scabies are an allergic reaction to the mites, which includes an itching skin irritation and tiny reddened dots with surrounding redness.

Itching usually worsens at night.

People who have never had scabies before usually notice symptoms about 4 to 6 weeks after getting scabies.

Those who have had a previous case of scabies develop symptoms sooner, often within a few days to one week.

If you have symptoms, you should be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

People living in the same house and having skin-to-skin contact with someone with scabies should be treated at the same time to prevent further spread.

Bedding, clothing, towels and other linens that are used within three days before treatment should be washed in hot water and dried using the hot dryer cycle.

Items that cannot be washed should be placed in a closed plastic bag for one week to kill the mites.