Scabies Cleaning Checklist [VIDEO]

Scabies Cleaning Checklist [VIDEO]

 

The following checklist is designed to help mitigate the risk of scabies infestation and effectively manage an existing problem.

To completely eradicate the infestation, it's essential to combine these cleaning efforts with medical treatment, as prescribed by a healthcare professional.

 

Personal Hygiene

  1. Consult a Healthcare Provider: Begin with a confirmed diagnosis and follow the prescribed medical treatment, usually topical scabicides.
  2. Daily Showering: Use soap and hot water to shower at least once daily. Pay special attention to areas where mites might burrow, such as under the nails, between fingers and toes, and skin folds.
  3. Change Clothes and Bedding Daily: Wear clean clothes and sleep on fresh bedding each day after starting treatment. This minimizes the risk of re-infestation.
  4. Laundry: Wash all clothes, bedding, and towels used by the infested person in the past 48 hours before treatment starts, using hot water (at least 130°F or 54°C) and dry on a hot cycle for at least 30 minutes.

 

Household Cleaning

  1. Vacuuming: Vacuum floors, carpets, and furniture regularly. This helps remove mites and eggs from the environment. Dispose of the vacuum bag or clean the vacuum container after each use.
  2. Dusting: Use a damp cloth to dust surfaces. A dry cloth may spread mites through the air. Dispose of or wash the cloth after use.
  3. Disinfect Surfaces: Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, such as door handles, light switches, and bathroom fixtures, using a standard household disinfectant.
  4. Manage Plush Toys and Items Hard to Launder: For items that cannot be washed, seal them in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours. This period is usually enough for the mites to die.

 

Prevention Measures

  1. Avoid Direct Contact: Scabies are spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact. Avoid direct contact with infected individuals and their belongings until they have completed treatment.
  2. Educate Family Members: All household members and close contacts should be aware of scabies symptoms and prevention measures, even if they are not currently showing symptoms.
  3. Consider Prophylactic Treatment: To prevent the spread of the disease, household members and close contacts may need to be treated simultaneously with the infested person, even if they do not show symptoms.
  4. Maintain a Clean Environment: Regularly clean and vacuum the house to reduce the likelihood of mite survival in the environment.
  5. Personal Items: Do not share personal items such as clothing, towels, and bedding that may facilitate the spread of scabies.
  6. Follow-up: Reinforce cleaning and personal hygiene measures to prevent re-infestation even after symptoms have subsided.

 

Note on Effectiveness

Scabies mites cannot survive more than 48-72 hours away from human skin.

Thus, focusing on cleaning items and environments exposed to the infested person within this timeframe is crucial.

Continuous and combined efforts in personal hygiene, household cleaning, and preventive measures are vital for managing and preventing scabies infestations.

 

References

 

For Assistance

If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!

In Bakersfield, CA, call (661) 437-3253

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Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Southern Valley

Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Southern Valley