Comments on: Harvard dorm treated for scabies–but what was it really? Also, bed bugs at Columbia?

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:38:32 +0000

Apparently scabies can take two treatments to clear up. And then you’re also supposed to wash on hot/ dry on hot all bedding and clothing worn within a week, and we know some folks might not get that directive, meaning it might linger more.

By: TemporarilyAnonymous

TemporarilyAnonymous — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 04:56:58 +0000

And I’m just hypothesizing about the super-scabies there. I know nuthin’ about that stuff.

By: TemporarilyAnonymous

TemporarilyAnonymous — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 04:53:37 +0000

There might be a new super-strain of scabies mite out there. I understood that Elimite knocks out most cases of scabies after one treatment. I first noticed itching about three weeks before diagnosis/treatment. The last two weeks, the itching was crazy intense. But after applying that cream, I woke up the next morning with no itching. I’ll never forget how delicious and absolute that relief was.

Oh, and I guess I misread the statement from Harvard UHS. They’re not averse to spelling out “bedbugs” after all.

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 03:35:05 +0000

TempAnon,

Interesting!

Maybe a mild case of scabies might clear up quickly, despite what Alpert said. I am not sure how you could have had bed bugs in your dorm if they went away without treatment, but you could have been bitten outside the dorm (at a club or anywhere really) and that would explain a temporary rash.

Bed bugs only really started to be seen around 1999, so I am not surprised college officials did not go there.

By: TemporarilyAnonymous

TemporarilyAnonymous — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 02:06:58 +0000

I went to Harvard. In the late 90s, I got scabies while living in a university dorm. The source of my mites was never determined. It’s still a mystery. I was single at the time. I hadn’t shared my bed or slept elsewhere for two months prior to the “rash.”

I was diagnosed at University Health Services. I informed the Dean of Students of my school. But back then, there were no dorm inspections. No one - not even me - thought they were necessary. I got a prescription for Elimite and instructions to wash my bedding in hot water. Less than half-a-day later, no more scabies. The problem was solved pretty easily and painlessly.

It’s interesting that school procedures seem to have changed. Coulda been the complaints from multiple students. But it’s funny how they take pains to avoid mentioning the B word. “insects” - excluding “mosquitoes.”

As for Columbia - three years ago, my friend worked as a internist at their health services. He knew about bedbugs - even back then - and had diagnosed their bites on students, employees, etc.

By: Blue_Ox

Blue_Ox — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 03:44:40 +0000

This high end condo in NYC where units sell for over a million $ has them and is handing out pamphlets saying they have bedbug sniffing dogs.

(Editor’s note: thanks Blue_Ox! We have a story about that here.)