Scabies?

[VMR]

Ahhhhhhh!I just received a disturbing call from one of my clients a few moments ago...and she stated she just found out from her Dr.  she has Scabies  I just worked on her last week, and after I had been working on her for a few moments she mentions a wierd, itchy rash she had on her back.  I asked her if she had seen her Doctor about it, and she said she had, and she was diagnosed with "habit scratching" due to stress.  So, I turned the lights up in the room to check it out.  I was unsure of what it was and hesitant to continue working on her.  I told her I would do some compression work through the sheets, but that was the best I was comfortable doing. Even though the doctor diagnosed her with something that was not coneforum.xxxious, I was still cautious. I also warned her of the possibility if it was something else, it could spread because of the massage.  She asked if I would work on her back (through the sheet) for at least 30 minutes.  I agreed, and suggested she get a second opinion from another doctor.She did, and that is the call I just received!  Has anyone else (knowingly) delt with this problem?  I am about to research it online to see what I can find.  I treat my clients with universal caution...never re-use sheets, always wash hands, use a pump for my lotion, etc., but I am still very, very concerned.Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Anna K.]

I do not want to alarm you but it is 100% "coneforum.xxxious".  If you client is not being treated they can most definately cause an infestation to your linens/table/you.I would mention this to your doctor and see what they say to do.Get into your space and vacuum the heck out of it.  Wash EVERY crevice with 10% bleach solution.An office worker sperad scabies to about two other people about ten years ago.......ick.Again, DON'T become alarmed but it is more serious than I am reading.  I would treat if you feel itchy.  RobynHere's a link for youhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/scabies/factsht_scabies.htm

 

[Pompal 09.]

Sorry I just reread your post....you worked on her when you thought she only had a hbitual itching....There is a lice spray you can get for your furniture if a family member gets lice.  Besides the vacuuming I would spray this all over and then revacuum.I would ditch the sheets.How do you launder?  Yourself or a service?If it is yourself I would throw extra bleach in your washer.Have you noticed any itching...Now take it fom me, you might think you are itchy after getting this news.  Whenever we have a patient with lice(we are told after the fact in the middle of a case) we all get itchy depite the low risk of getting them.(patients are draped and we are in scrubs).Don't panic. I know I keep saying this butI would be panicking.....that's just me.Robyn

 

[nudangler]

Good move being careful about her rash!  It was nice of her to let you know when she found out what it was.  It must've been really embarrassing for her to have to make that phone call.I worked in a nursing home where a patient was diagnosed with scabies.  All employees had to be treated as a precaution.  They called everyone in to give us a tube of cream and had a meeting about how to use it.  I was working that evening and had to give the patient his treatment by myself - shower and all - because the other aide who was supposed to be helping me refused!  He was in isolation, and I had to wear gown and gloves.  That night I treated myself when I got home.  I never got scabies.If you notice a rashy spot get a magnifying glass and look closely at it.  Scabies looks like tiny winding trails because of the tunnelling little mites.  It has to be confirmed by a doctor scraping off some skin around the rash (not much - it doesn't hurt) and looking at it under a microscope.  You might call your doctor and ask for the cream as a preventative measure.  Let your doctor know that your business requires close contact with people and you're concerned because you've been exposed.  You just leave it on overnight.Your other clients are probably safe because you change the linens in between, and hopefully whoever does your laundry follows a universal precautions policy.  They don't live long without people, so I wouldn't worry about your massage room at this point.Good luck.  Things like this happen in professions like ours.  Sounds like you handled it well in the beginning when it was important. Katykangaroo