I have scabies, !@#!@#!@~ Help me figure to deep clean
July 27, 2022 5:29 PM Subscribe
2022 just keeps going! So I found out from my doctor today that I have scabies, and now I'm faced with the daunting task of having to do a deep clean of my room, when I'm already taxed and exhausted beyond belief from other health issues + really tight work deadlines. Help me not freak out since I have ADHD + neurodivergence + chronic illness
I already have the perimithin cream, and honestly I kind of just want to melt down. How much cleaning do I have to do? What do I have to do? and what kind of steps do I need to do? I know I need to kill the mites from my mattress, my bedding, my plushies, but I already struggle really hard with cleaning because of ADHD and anxiety/depression. I'm genuinely super overwhelmed as well, since I have an upcoming trip on Saturday, so I have a couple of days to figure it out and get it resolved.
I'm already very, very exhausted from dealing with menorhaggia the week before, and having both my psychiatrist and therapist go on maternity leave and saying bye to them this week, on top of falling behind at work and having to do a ton of stuff, and I kind of want to cry because I'm really stressed out. Ideally, I can get this all done tonight, so I can knock the entire list out. I'm already messy and have clutter and amazon boxes and unwashed dishes and I'm just not in a great space right now.
Difficulty level: I don't have a washer/dryer at my apartment, so I have to go to a laundromat to get it all done, but they do have a drop-off service.
I already have the perimithin cream, and honestly I kind of just want to melt down. How much cleaning do I have to do? What do I have to do? and what kind of steps do I need to do? I know I need to kill the mites from my mattress, my bedding, my plushies, but I already struggle really hard with cleaning because of ADHD and anxiety/depression. I'm genuinely super overwhelmed as well, since I have an upcoming trip on Saturday, so I have a couple of days to figure it out and get it resolved.
I'm already very, very exhausted from dealing with menorhaggia the week before, and having both my psychiatrist and therapist go on maternity leave and saying bye to them this week, on top of falling behind at work and having to do a ton of stuff, and I kind of want to cry because I'm really stressed out. Ideally, I can get this all done tonight, so I can knock the entire list out. I'm already messy and have clutter and amazon boxes and unwashed dishes and I'm just not in a great space right now.
Difficulty level: I don't have a washer/dryer at my apartment, so I have to go to a laundromat to get it all done, but they do have a drop-off service.
Best answer: Ugh that sucks! Yes, this is that "one last thing" and what you're feeling is really reasonable!
Here's what I think I would do- I hope this is helpful.
I'd work on clearing a space. So pack up all the plushies into bags. Airtight for 72 hours is what they need to kill the mites. Put them to a side.
You'll need to treat your bedding and also wash your bedding the next day- depending on how many sheet sets you have. So after your plushies and anything you can't wash is off your bed, strip and remake the bed. Then once you've treated yourself you'll have a clean bed to sleep in- and then strip the bed again in the morning.
If feasible, I'd "pack" the clothes you're going to need for a trip so you can wash them and keep them separate from everything.
Clearing the sink is always a win for me mentally, so I'd make an effort to get that done, even though I know my ADHD brain would tell me I'm not allowed to because it's not directly scabies related.
It might be the easy win you need.
It's kind of convenient you're travelling! Because time away from human contact kills the scabies.
Wiping down surfaces with alcohol is apparently what you need to do as well.
posted by freethefeet at 5:51 PM on July 27, 2022 [3 favorites]
Here's what I think I would do- I hope this is helpful.
I'd work on clearing a space. So pack up all the plushies into bags. Airtight for 72 hours is what they need to kill the mites. Put them to a side.
You'll need to treat your bedding and also wash your bedding the next day- depending on how many sheet sets you have. So after your plushies and anything you can't wash is off your bed, strip and remake the bed. Then once you've treated yourself you'll have a clean bed to sleep in- and then strip the bed again in the morning.
If feasible, I'd "pack" the clothes you're going to need for a trip so you can wash them and keep them separate from everything.
Clearing the sink is always a win for me mentally, so I'd make an effort to get that done, even though I know my ADHD brain would tell me I'm not allowed to because it's not directly scabies related.
It might be the easy win you need.
It's kind of convenient you're travelling! Because time away from human contact kills the scabies.
Wiping down surfaces with alcohol is apparently what you need to do as well.
posted by freethefeet at 5:51 PM on July 27, 2022 [3 favorites]
(I don't have direct experience with scabies, but I thought I could do some of the googling to help out)
posted by freethefeet at 5:51 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by freethefeet at 5:51 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Let me look up common cleaning agents that kill scabies mites. Remember these are predatory little bugs, and have not one thing to do with your worth as a human being. All you say about this to those who live around you , in nearby units, is, "I just am doing some deep cleaning." Wash clothes and bedding with hot water. Vacuum everything. Get gloves, wear them while you clean, everything you touch, keyboards, remotes, doorknobs. If you have some extra money, after thoroughly vacuuming your mattress, you can wrap it in plastic and tape it shut, like a gift wrap job. Scabies mites die off after 72 hours without food, ( a human host.) Once the mattress is wrapped, you can put your bedding back on it after it is laundered in hot water. Just leave the plastic on the mattress until the next time you change your sheets. The instructions say vacuum everywhere a even under the bed, wear gloves then throw the vacuum bag away tightly wrapped in a plastic bag. It is really just like a deep cleaning. If you routinely wash your clothes in hot water and don't mix worn and clean clothes you should be okay just washing the dirties.but everything personal, hair ties, washcloths, towels, shoes, socks, flip flops, all need to be cleaned. There are generic disinfectant sprays you can get. Don't forget your car seats, etc.
posted by Oyéah at 5:54 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Oyéah at 5:54 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you!!
Additional info:
1) I have carpet floors, and a rug, and a mini steam cleaner
2) bath towels??
3) do I have to clean kitchen towels too? Like how nuclear do I have to go on this? Is it everything I've touched?
4) do I need to tell friends I have scabies? Can friends help me clear and move my space? If they can, what do they need to do so they won't be infected?
5) what products do people use to clean? Amazon links are super helpful so I can order them or look them up in my local store.
6) car seats???? How tf do I clean my car so they die? I'm supposed to be using mine on Saturday but I don't want to infect my friend who is probably helping drive
7) my blanket is inside a duvet - do I remove both and take it out seperately to wash bc of the infestation? Duvets are a bit new to me
posted by yueliang at 5:54 PM on July 27, 2022
Additional info:
1) I have carpet floors, and a rug, and a mini steam cleaner
2) bath towels??
3) do I have to clean kitchen towels too? Like how nuclear do I have to go on this? Is it everything I've touched?
4) do I need to tell friends I have scabies? Can friends help me clear and move my space? If they can, what do they need to do so they won't be infected?
5) what products do people use to clean? Amazon links are super helpful so I can order them or look them up in my local store.
6) car seats???? How tf do I clean my car so they die? I'm supposed to be using mine on Saturday but I don't want to infect my friend who is probably helping drive
7) my blanket is inside a duvet - do I remove both and take it out seperately to wash bc of the infestation? Duvets are a bit new to me
posted by yueliang at 5:54 PM on July 27, 2022
Best answer: Do you have any paid time off you could use to take tomorrow for some relief? I wouldn’t blink an eye if one of my reports called in sick for this. This needs attention, is going to be exhausting and seriously, you need a day. Everything about your question sounds like you need some space to feel your feelings AND to get this done.
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 6:03 PM on July 27, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 6:03 PM on July 27, 2022 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Anything that you wore or touched that can't be washed in very hot water and then dried in a drier on the hot setting needs to be dry cleaned. Any towels, including kitchen towels, that you dried your hands or body with needs the hot water/hot drier treatment. Rugs need to be vacuumed well, and then vacuumed again. CDC has a helpful webpage describing measures to take.
I assume you are contacting people who you've been in close physical contact with so they can be checked? It takes several weeks to become bothersome to people, so it's probably not the case that you contracted this in the past few days.
Scabies is so, so contagious, from skin to skin contact or from the used sheets, towels, clothing, etc. that an infected person shares with another person. Obviously, any sexual contacts are at great risk.
You will get through this, though it is an enormous pain. A bonus is that if you will be away more than 72 hours from your home the scabies mites will die without a person in the space, which might help with the job of cleaning/quarantining your stuff. I don't think you need to go nuclear with your floors, countertops and so forth, just clean with a typical cleaner, vacuum rugs well, wash everything washable well, and stuff that can't be washed (comforter, pillows, shawls, plush items) should be bagged, tied, and set aside for at least 72 hours. Scabies is very contagious, but thorough cleaning (to not re-introduce them through an uncleaned item, such as pillows that you might be challenged to clean) will get rid of them.
posted by citygirl at 6:09 PM on July 27, 2022 [3 favorites]
I assume you are contacting people who you've been in close physical contact with so they can be checked? It takes several weeks to become bothersome to people, so it's probably not the case that you contracted this in the past few days.
Scabies is so, so contagious, from skin to skin contact or from the used sheets, towels, clothing, etc. that an infected person shares with another person. Obviously, any sexual contacts are at great risk.
You will get through this, though it is an enormous pain. A bonus is that if you will be away more than 72 hours from your home the scabies mites will die without a person in the space, which might help with the job of cleaning/quarantining your stuff. I don't think you need to go nuclear with your floors, countertops and so forth, just clean with a typical cleaner, vacuum rugs well, wash everything washable well, and stuff that can't be washed (comforter, pillows, shawls, plush items) should be bagged, tied, and set aside for at least 72 hours. Scabies is very contagious, but thorough cleaning (to not re-introduce them through an uncleaned item, such as pillows that you might be challenged to clean) will get rid of them.
posted by citygirl at 6:09 PM on July 27, 2022 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Wait, what? I had scabies once. It was horrible and you have my sympathy.
We didn't need to deep clean though. Followed the treatment, obviously washed all clothes. Doctor was totally unconcerned when I asked about furniture, mattresses, etc.
The topical treatment cleared it up and I didn't get re-infected.
posted by mark k at 6:09 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
We didn't need to deep clean though. Followed the treatment, obviously washed all clothes. Doctor was totally unconcerned when I asked about furniture, mattresses, etc.
The topical treatment cleared it up and I didn't get re-infected.
posted by mark k at 6:09 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I had to deal with an apartment bedbug infestation while in the midst of a severe episode of bipolar depression, so I understand your pain. Luckily, scabies mitigation is similar but not as intense as bedbug mitigation. I elected to put off dealing with everything but the absolute essentials until I had the emotional juice to manage more. I washed my sheets, towels, and other bedding in hot water and dried them on high heat. I tumbled my pillows on high heat. I vacuumed my mattress, carpets, and sofa. I washed a reasonable amount of clothing to wear in the immediate future normally, then ran them after already dry through a high heat cycle to avoid shrinkage. I washed and dried a few kitchen towels. Any other fabrics I did not absolutely require in my life at that moment went into sealed bags to be dealt with later.
Once I got my immediate environment and personal needs under control (sleeping, showering, the wearing of clothes) I waited for the prescribed time and then just handled one bag at a time.
posted by MagnificentVacuum at 6:10 PM on July 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
Once I got my immediate environment and personal needs under control (sleeping, showering, the wearing of clothes) I waited for the prescribed time and then just handled one bag at a time.
posted by MagnificentVacuum at 6:10 PM on July 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Sorry to stress you out further, but you can’t expose laundromat workers to your drop-off laundry because this is just so incredibly contagious, you’d have to do it yourself.
posted by asimplemouse at 6:14 PM on July 27, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by asimplemouse at 6:14 PM on July 27, 2022 [7 favorites]
Best answer: OK, reading the CDC article there are different kinds of scabies; crusted Norwegian scabies spread through furniture. I had what I assume was the patriotic American type of scabies, as I never infected anyone else in a crowded household. Ideally your doctor can identify the specific bug?
Even then the CDC says that fumigation, etc. is unnecessary and "discouraged." Treat everyone in the household, wash sheets, etc., and cover fabric on furniture with plastic. I don't think this will be as bad as it might be.
posted by mark k at 6:19 PM on July 27, 2022
Even then the CDC says that fumigation, etc. is unnecessary and "discouraged." Treat everyone in the household, wash sheets, etc., and cover fabric on furniture with plastic. I don't think this will be as bad as it might be.
posted by mark k at 6:19 PM on July 27, 2022
Best answer: First things first, it's okay to feel overwhelmed when so many things hit you at once. You don't need to apologize for that. Stress really knocks out your ability to deal with more stress; it's real rude that way. But also, I think this is very doable if you break it down into steps.
I have a question: How long is your trip?
The reason I ask is that scabies mites don't survive very long on their own - they need a human host. They'll die after 2-3 days without you. If you're going to be away for longer than that, that's perfect.
If I was you, I would do this to cut down on laundromat usage:
1. Pick out what you want to take on your trip. Then add whatever clothing, bedding, towels that you want to use until you leave for your trip (plan on one set per day). Take these to the laundromat to wash/dry on hot. This will kill the scabies, and you'll have clean stuff to use that won't re-infect you.
2. Put every other "soft" item (pillows, bedding, clothes, towels) into big black garbage bags and put it them in a corner. Leave the bags alone until after your trip - the mites will be dead after a few days. Literally just bag it up and deal with it later.
3. Vacuum your carpet, rug, mattress, and soft furnishings deeply. One site recommends doing this daily for a week, to be sure you get everything.
4. After you wear/use something before your trip, put it in a new bag and leave it alone until after your trip. Everything should be in that bag for several days (AAD recommends a week, which is pretty conservative.) If you run out of bedding or towels or clothes, make a second laundromat trip.
Some laundry/dry clean services will wash items for you, but it's important that you notify them beforehand to make sure that they can (and will).
You should notify friends you've had close contact with. Consider asking them for help in other ways - like see if they could help by making/bringing you dinner or doing some shopping so you have one less thing to deal with.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 6:28 PM on July 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have a question: How long is your trip?
The reason I ask is that scabies mites don't survive very long on their own - they need a human host. They'll die after 2-3 days without you. If you're going to be away for longer than that, that's perfect.
If I was you, I would do this to cut down on laundromat usage:
1. Pick out what you want to take on your trip. Then add whatever clothing, bedding, towels that you want to use until you leave for your trip (plan on one set per day). Take these to the laundromat to wash/dry on hot. This will kill the scabies, and you'll have clean stuff to use that won't re-infect you.
2. Put every other "soft" item (pillows, bedding, clothes, towels) into big black garbage bags and put it them in a corner. Leave the bags alone until after your trip - the mites will be dead after a few days. Literally just bag it up and deal with it later.
3. Vacuum your carpet, rug, mattress, and soft furnishings deeply. One site recommends doing this daily for a week, to be sure you get everything.
4. After you wear/use something before your trip, put it in a new bag and leave it alone until after your trip. Everything should be in that bag for several days (AAD recommends a week, which is pretty conservative.) If you run out of bedding or towels or clothes, make a second laundromat trip.
Some laundry/dry clean services will wash items for you, but it's important that you notify them beforehand to make sure that they can (and will).
You should notify friends you've had close contact with. Consider asking them for help in other ways - like see if they could help by making/bringing you dinner or doing some shopping so you have one less thing to deal with.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 6:28 PM on July 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I have had scabies twice--it is NOT fun and I am so sorry you're going through this! But the cream really does work and you'll feel so much better soon. It's not a reflection on your cleanliness as a person even though it probably feels like it.
We had an outbreak where I worked and couldn't keep up with all the laundry--the way we got rid of it was to bag up all the dirty laundry instead of washing it, as others have said, and just washed what was needed to get through the week.
You don't need to clean with anything super special. Regular laundry supplies and hot water will do it. Maybe get some extra vaccuum bags if your vaccuum uses them, because you'll want to throw the bag away.
You should take the duvet out of the cover to wash it, but honestly if you have any other blanket you can use, I would bag the duvet and use the alternate covering. They are a huge pain to wash and dry and to put back together.
After you've vaccuumed your mattress, you can put on one of these mattress encasing covers. You can keep it on going forward, too, and just wash it whenever you wash your bedding. As a bonus, they're water resistant, so your mattress is also protected from spills!
posted by assenav at 6:38 PM on July 27, 2022
We had an outbreak where I worked and couldn't keep up with all the laundry--the way we got rid of it was to bag up all the dirty laundry instead of washing it, as others have said, and just washed what was needed to get through the week.
You don't need to clean with anything super special. Regular laundry supplies and hot water will do it. Maybe get some extra vaccuum bags if your vaccuum uses them, because you'll want to throw the bag away.
You should take the duvet out of the cover to wash it, but honestly if you have any other blanket you can use, I would bag the duvet and use the alternate covering. They are a huge pain to wash and dry and to put back together.
After you've vaccuumed your mattress, you can put on one of these mattress encasing covers. You can keep it on going forward, too, and just wash it whenever you wash your bedding. As a bonus, they're water resistant, so your mattress is also protected from spills!
posted by assenav at 6:38 PM on July 27, 2022
Response by poster: Y'all are so kind, writing some answers and additional questions -- sorry mods for threadsitting, this is the most comprehensive information I've ever received because it's surprisingly hard to find good information on this and I really want to make sure I eliminate all of this
1a) it's just a day trip so I planned on coming back the same evening, although now you're making me wonder if I should just leave town and reschedule my medical appointments to the following week. What would you all advise if I didn't end up going out of town for a few days though and ended up staying in the space?
1b) Would it be better to just change plans and go out of town? (I can stay at my mom's place, but I also don't want to infect her and her house, but apparently after I apply the cream I should be fine?)
2) I have used towels at a friends house/sat on their couch, but I haven't been there in a week, but I already have messaged and let them know to wash and dry on hot.
3) I have a futon in my room that I have not touched or used in a month, but it does have bedding that has made contact with objects that I touched/left there. If I don't go out of town, is it safe to sleep on the futon and not get reinfected?
4) I've made direct contact with my mattress because it's exposed under my fitted sheet that just don't fit - should i also wrap it in plastic as well?
All this advice and compassion is genuinely helping de-escalate my panic, I really appreciate it.
posted by yueliang at 6:39 PM on July 27, 2022
1a) it's just a day trip so I planned on coming back the same evening, although now you're making me wonder if I should just leave town and reschedule my medical appointments to the following week. What would you all advise if I didn't end up going out of town for a few days though and ended up staying in the space?
1b) Would it be better to just change plans and go out of town? (I can stay at my mom's place, but I also don't want to infect her and her house, but apparently after I apply the cream I should be fine?)
2) I have used towels at a friends house/sat on their couch, but I haven't been there in a week, but I already have messaged and let them know to wash and dry on hot.
3) I have a futon in my room that I have not touched or used in a month, but it does have bedding that has made contact with objects that I touched/left there. If I don't go out of town, is it safe to sleep on the futon and not get reinfected?
4) I've made direct contact with my mattress because it's exposed under my fitted sheet that just don't fit - should i also wrap it in plastic as well?
All this advice and compassion is genuinely helping de-escalate my panic, I really appreciate it.
posted by yueliang at 6:39 PM on July 27, 2022
Blecch - scabies. The children brought them home about four times - my sympathies.
When you wash use hot water and put in a tablespoon or two of eucalyptus oil, or harder to find, tea-tree oil.
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 10:39 PM on July 27, 2022
When you wash use hot water and put in a tablespoon or two of eucalyptus oil, or harder to find, tea-tree oil.
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 10:39 PM on July 27, 2022
What would you all advise if I didn't end up going out of town for a few days though and ended up staying in the space?
I wouldn't reschedule the trip and medical appointments around this - it would be convenient if you were going to be away for a bit, but if it was me, I wouldn't think that convenience outweighs the hassle of rescheduling things and paying for a trip. The major thing a trip would buy you is the ability to kill the mites in your furniture and things by just not being there, but plenty of people have successfully killed them by just vacuuming/steam cleaning/etc, and you would have to be cleaning up to the trip anyway.
I would just plan on vacuuming deeply every day for several days, and maybe renting a steam cleaner for furnishings (like the mattress) if I was feeling paranoid.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 7:12 AM on July 28, 2022
I wouldn't reschedule the trip and medical appointments around this - it would be convenient if you were going to be away for a bit, but if it was me, I wouldn't think that convenience outweighs the hassle of rescheduling things and paying for a trip. The major thing a trip would buy you is the ability to kill the mites in your furniture and things by just not being there, but plenty of people have successfully killed them by just vacuuming/steam cleaning/etc, and you would have to be cleaning up to the trip anyway.
I would just plan on vacuuming deeply every day for several days, and maybe renting a steam cleaner for furnishings (like the mattress) if I was feeling paranoid.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 7:12 AM on July 28, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by yueliang at 5:34 PM on July 27, 2022