How to report an AirBnb/host for scabies infestation

Cary93
Level 1
Cocoa, FL

How to report an AirBnb/host for scabies infestation

I recently stayed at an AirBnb in Chicago and became infested with scabies mites at this location. How can I report this to those in charge of Administration at AirBnb as well as the community that may be looking for a place to rent/stay in Chicago?

4 Replies 4

@Cary93  Unlike bedbugs, which are visible to the naked eye, it's virtually impossible to be certain that your scabies infestation originated in your Airbnb and not another point of contact. However, on the plus side, the mites are not as difficult to get rid of. The first person that you should inform is your host;  even if they deny their property being the source of your scabies, they should have a vested interest in making sure the surfaces are fully disinfected and the bedding is properly washed and quarantined to prevent the scabies being passed on to the next guests.

 

I don't think Airbnb admin is going to be interested in the fact that you have an uncomfortable but highly treatable parasite. If you want to alert prospective guests of this listing of your plight, you have the opportunity to do so in your review. I don't necessarily think it's a good idea to do this, because it's pure speculation on your part that the scabies came from the Airbnb and not from another source. But if the property was unclean or poorly kept in general, this would certainly be relevant to a review.

Michelle53
Level 10
Chicago, IL

"Scabies usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. Contact generally must be prolonged; a quick handshake or hug usually will not spread scabies. Scabies is spread easily to sexual partners and household members. Scabies in adults frequently is sexually acquired. Scabies sometimes is spread indirectly by sharing articles such as clothing, towels, or bedding used by an infested person; however, such indirect spread can occur much more easily when the infested person has crusted scabies."

 

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/gen_info/faqs.html

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdph/emergency_preparedness/GettheFacts_Scabies_Final...

Bernie100
Level 1
Salvador, Brazil

The same happened to me. As a pediatrician I knew it was scabies from the start. My girlfriend pointed out the sheets looked unclean and I convinced her they were just old. I know I got it from the airbnb because of the timing. What a coincidence. Im 37 and got scabies only 3 times in my life, one as a kid the other two were because of uncleaned sheets. The first one was at a hostel that had a broken washing machine (what a coincidence) and the second one happened just last week after staying at airbnb with sheets that looked unclean. Not washing the sheets after a guest leaving is the main reason. If you got scabies after staying at an airbnb you probably got it from the sheets. Dont believe people who tell you otherwise.

@Bernie100  That sure does give your girlfriend a convenient alibi!