How to Disinfect Home after a Case of Scabies
What are scabies and how to disinfect home if there is a case of scabies? We all think that scabies and bed bugs are one and the same thing. But they are not. Scabies are microscopic mites that burrow under the skin causing severe itching and rashes. If you have scabies in your home, then you can’t get a good night’s sleep – that’s for sure! In the case of the skin, scabies can spread really fast. They are caused due to prolonged skin contact with a person who has scabies.
Scabies outbreaks majorly happen in hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, etc. But that doesn’t mean that our house can be affected by it. Of course, it can. Through such places, scabies can easily make their way to your homes. So, what to do in such situations? See, dealing with scabies is quite an uncomfortable task. Unintentionally, if you have got scabies in your home, then you can totally cure it.
Scabies is majorly a skin condition that causes rashes on our skin. Scabies usually show up between fingers, wrists, around the genital area, etc. Now you might be thinking that bed bugs and scabies are the same. Well, they are not! Both bed bugs and scabies are found in the home. The major difference between bed bugs and scabies is that bed bugs are visible clearly through the naked eye while scabies are not visible. They are very tiny.
So, this is one way you can detect whether you have bed bugs or scabies in your home. Since scabies is a skin condition, so, there are some symptoms associated with it. Let us have a look!
Symptoms of Scabies
- Itching during the night
- A pimple-like raised bump that forms a line.
- Grey/ white lines on the skin caused due to burrowing.
- Scaly patches
- Thick crust forming on the skin (Worst Case Scenario).
If you feel that any of the above-mentioned is the same as your case, then you do have a scabies infestation. And from your skin, it can definitely make home in your house. The first thing that will be affected is your bedding and clothing. In case, the house has been too much affected, then it’s time to take some steps to get rid of them.
How to Disinfect Home
Even if you have a clean home, you can always spot scabies infestation. Anyone can get scabies. Getting scabies infestation in your house is a reflection of the lack of hygiene. Scabies can easily spread from one spot to another ranging from your clothes, to pillowcases, to beds, and the entire house. Below are some of the steps that you must take to limit the scabies infestation. Have a look!
- Consult a Doctor
The first and foremost thing is to get yourself treated. No matter wherever you might have got the rabies infestation from, it can turn your house upside down. The first step to get rid of scabies is to consult a doctor for your skin condition. The doctor will scrape off the first layer of your infected skin to know how much the damage has been done. After diagnosing, you will get a cream or an ointment for the same. Always remember – you can never treat scabies without consulting a doctor. Knowing your skin condition is very important and this only happens with the help of a doctor.
- Remove Clutter
Our house has many things that must be dumped there and then. But for some reason, we keep all the clutter in our homes. Such things will definitely invite scabies. You need to find those places where you have stored all the clutter. Getting rid of the things that can be infested is a great idea. Scabies can live anywhere – in piles of paper, garbage, laundry, couches, etc. Thus, you need to look sharply everywhere around the house to get rid of such a situation. Do not forget to check your bed too. Remove unwanted items from the bedside that can attract scabies.
- Washing is the Solution
Washing is your one-stop solution to get rid of scabies mites. Hot water is a great way to disinfect your home. Scabies live up to 48 – 72 hours without human contact. So catching scabies can be quite difficult but not impossible. For best chances to avoid scabies, wash your household items with hot water. Do not add any chemical powder to it. Just hot water will do the work. Wash your mattress, bedding, etc., as well. Leave no mark! Also, remember to wear rubber gloves while washing as hot water can damage your skin and scabies are also there!
- Cleaning Surfaces
Surfaces like the kitchen, floors, dining tables, showpiece corners, etc., must be thoroughly cleaned. After decluttering and washing main items, you must clean the surfaces that you feel will attract scabies. Vacuum the floor, sofas, couches, furniture, etc. After the cleaning, get all the garbage collected in the vacuum bag. Remember to clean the surfaces with hot water. If you have a steam cleanser, it is all the more better thing to clean with! The temperature for cleaning should be 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Disinfectant Spray
There are some spaces in our house that we cannot reach. The corners of the house are one such place where all the items are kept but it is difficult to clean them there. How water is a great disinfectant but to reach those places you need to have a disinfectant spray. Disinfect your mattresses, furniture, handles, remote, kitchen cabinet, and other items that you touch on a regular basis. You can also use disinfectant wipes.
So, these are some of the steps that you can follow regarding how to disinfect home. Scabies are very difficult to see and more difficult to remove. But we are sure that with these steps you will definitely be able to remove scabies. Try these steps and tell us if they were effective or not!
FAQs
- How long do scabies live in home?
Scabies can live up to 72 hours. In this much time, they can make their way into your skin, home, everywhere. Make sure to follow the steps mentioned above to get rid of them!
- Which spray should I use to kill scabies?
You can buy any disinfectant spray from the market to kill scabies. Just make sure that the alcohol content of the spray must be high, i.e., at least 70 – 75{f72c3bad9bedd2696c12410b2a9f18ea5e1c76129c8f30749ceb2ebcb0501ee1}.
- Which is the most effective method of cleaning homes?
All the methods mentioned above are good. We recommend you follow all the steps to effectively get rid of scabies.
