Yuck!

I can't think of a better title than "yuck" because everything I'm about to describe is all about "yuck" and the cleaning of "yuck".

It started a few weeks ago at Daycare. The sign went up on Addie's classroom door "Scabies - 1 case." Didn't really think much about it - there's always a warning sign up for something contagious. At the end of last week, the total was up to 5 cases. Addie wasn't showing any symptoms, continued to disregard. Seriously, worrying about every contagious thing occurring at daycare would be a full time job.

On Monday morning I get a call - daycare thinks Addison has scabies. I need to take her home NOW. (Immediately start to feeling itchy sitting in meeting. Must be little mites crawling all over me. Ohmigod-ohmigod. Stay cool.) We get in to see the Peds in the afternoon. At Peds we're handled with HazMat-like rigor: Immediately placed into an examine room and asked to try not to touch anything. (Right, Addison will just sit calmly on my lap and not move. Great plan.) I think even I saw the receptionist throw away the pen I used to sign my co-pay receipt. Here's what the rash looked like on Addie's leg:

Although she lacked the classical scabies symptoms (rash between fingers & toes) - this itchy rash plus exposure to known cases was enough to decide to treat her. And Eric. And me. Head to toe application of Elimite cream, wash off in morning. Lovely.

In addition to the treatment we have to clean and contain the exposure in our house. This means washing EVERYTHING in hot water (clothes, towels, bedding.) And sealing in garbage bags w/ duct tape anything we can't wash (shoes, area rugs, hats, toys, etc.) Okay, I'll admit that the handout from the Peds stated we only needed to wash the clothes we've worn in the 3 days, bedding and towels. But let's be realistic, who wants to find out they missed a few mites and have this start all over in 2 weeks.

So as of Tuesday morning, we're not contagious and our house is clean. All of the garbage bagged items will be released on Friday. Ahhhhh.

And Addie sends a big shout out to all of you who lovingly spent time with her this past weekend only to find yourselves also subjected to cream applications and copious amounts of laundry. Love ya!