According to the data of the GGD e Knowledge Center Level scabies has spread rapidly in recent weeks. In the Groningen region, the number of patients rose from 36 to 66 per 100,000 inhabitants in three weeks. In the Amsterdam region it is already 75 per 100,000 inhabitants, where three weeks ago it was still 52. In the Gooi and Vechtstreek it has risen even faster: from 52 to 85.
The upward trend can be clearly seen in this chart from Nivel:
The skin condition mainly circulates among young people and students, according to the data. Scabies, as scabies is officially called, is on the rise, especially in the 15 to 24 age group.
Treat at the same time
The great difficulty in treating scabies is that groups of patients must be treated simultaneously to be successful. It is therefore easier to treat scabies in an organized way within a household than, for example, in a student house, where the residents are sometimes at home and sometimes not. This also applies to mixed families or families with children living away from home.
What is scabies and how do you get rid of it?
Scabies, officially called scabies, is caused by scabies mites, tiny creatures that look like spiders. They dig tunnels in your skin and lay their eggs there. Due to an allergic skin reaction you get (especially at night) enormous itching. It is harmless, but very annoying and contagious.
It is contracted through prolonged contact with the skin, therefore mainly from people with whom you have sex or with whom you live at home.
Your GP evaluates your complaints and usually prescribes permethrin cream. You have to rub everything inside. You should also thoroughly wash your clothes, bedding, and towels from the past three days.
Source: Home doctor (cf of site For more information)
Elleke Leclercq, a nurse at GGD Zuid-Limburg, has seen many patients struggle to get their scabies under control and so she developed the Slow step-by-step approach to scabies.
Mixed families and students
This plan describes exactly what patients should do and when. All the healthcare professionals involved – general practitioners, dermatologists and GGDs – can spread it among patients and those around them, such as roommates, friends and family.
Leclercq has been dealing with scabies since 2003, he says. “It’s increased in recent years. And I see people often don’t know how to handle it.”
Clear plan step by step
Scabies is especially difficult to control in blended families and among students, she says. “It’s harder to start treatment there at the same time. And then the infection keeps passing to someone else, so you can’t get rid of it. I thought it was a good idea to have a clear step-by-step plan.”
He developed a plan and presented it to general practitioners, dermatologists and patients. She reinforced that a bit with the feedback. “I’ve been using it for a while myself. I’ve heard from people that it gives direction and really helps them.”
Step by step plan for 12 days
The step-by-step plan provides a detailed manual that must be followed for twelve days. Explain preconditions, such as: All family members must be treated on the same day and at the same time. And: until everyone has been taken care of, you have no skin-to-skin contact with others.
In addition, concrete steps are mentioned. For example: “Wear disposable gloves. Apply them all over, from your jaw to the soles of your feet.” And: “Take the used linen off the bed. Put clean linen on top of it for the night ahead.”
He also gives tips for washing clothes and bedding, cleaning furniture and dog kennels, and when you should put worn-out clothing in a bag and take it out again, and when pets can be safely “petted.” and pamper yourself”. to be.
Leclercq thinks it’s “super” that his plan is now being implemented nationwide as well. “Because this has to reach a lot of patients.”
Maastricht GP Robert Willemsen is enthusiastic about the step-by-step plan. “I see it often, and it’s a horrible disease that is very difficult to get rid of. This step-by-step plan is really helpful. I will definitely give it to my patients.”
Good to apply
Willemsen sees that both families and students suffer from the skin condition. But especially among students it is difficult to deal with scabies in an organized way, he sees him. “The tricky thing is that they often don’t start on the exact same day and do the exact same thing. This plan can inform students well about how to do that.”
The GGD Zuid-Limburg, Leclerq’s employer, is satisfied with the plan. “With good cooperation, there is now a nice step-by-step plan for the whole of Holland, which we are quite proud of.”
On talk show Beau, student, vlogger and experience expert Gabriel Matser recently explained why fighting in a student house is so hard:
