On Saturday, three Harvard students were seen at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) for scabies. Scabies, a common disease caused by a microscopic mite, is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with some one who is infected. It causes an extremely itchy rash, especially at night, with red bumps and burrows that look like thin, wavy gray or white lines. These students were treated with premethrin cream 5%.
HUHS clinicians took the extra precaution of treating the entire dorm, after consulting with Harvard’s Environmental Health and Clinicians in Infectious Disease at Brigham & Women's Hospital. Pennypacker residents received the following instructions:
- Shower and then apply the premethrin cream from head to toe, keeping it on for 8-14 hours.
- Wash bedsheets and any clothing worn in the past 10 days.
- Clothes that are not washable should be placed into laundry bags (available on all floors in Pennypacker) and stored for 7-14 days.
- Dry cleaning is also an acceptable means of cleaning clothes.
- There is no need to wash purses, backpacks, laptops, books.
Others who have been in intimate contact with any Pennypacker resident should also be treated. Harvard students can call their primary care team at HUHS for this prescription; they do not need to come in for an appointment. People who have been in casual contact with Pennypacker residents do not need to be treated. Students who have not been treated and have a rash or itching should come to HUHS to be seen.
For any questions, please contact your HUHS primary care team.