Scabies: a shame? Photo: Shutterstock
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Is something from the past? No, the itchy skin disease is on the rise, especially in Drenthe and Groningen. Something to be ashamed of, or is it not that bad?
The number of people with scabies is increasing, according to figures from research institute Nivel. Most cases occur in Groningen and Drenthe, especially among young people aged 15 to 24 years. Nivel speaks of an ‘explosive increase’, but the reason is still in the dark.
The skin disease occurs in places where people live close together. And spreads through skin-to-skin contact. Student houses and bedrooms are therefore a mecca for the scabies mite, which likes to hop from person to person, dig tunnels in the skin and lay eggs in them.
Scabies is harmless, but very annoying because of the terrible itching. And embarrassing. With scabies comes a lot of shame and guilt. It is associated with poverty and poor care. Justly?
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