Soon after we returned to the hostel, Tater Tot arrived after a visit to a medical clinic. She said she had been diagnosed with an infestation of scabies, an itchy skin rash caused by a mite.
She couldn’t have been infected here because it takes two to six weeks for symptoms to appear. Honestly, though, this would be the kind of place to get an itchy skin rash.
Tater Tot was wearing what looked like an old drape. It was something she found to replace her clothes, which she didn’t dare wear because they were probably infested with mites.
The mattress Tater Tot slept on last night was dragged out of the garage.
This might have been comical and a good relief for boredom if it weren’t for the fact that Tater Tot was miserable and feeling embarrassed. It wasn’t her fault this happened.
I hoped this didn’t ruin her hike for long, but I didn’t think it would. She was prescribed an ointment made with Permethrin to treat the rash. It should clear up in a few days.
Later that evening, Barefoot posted an article to the hiker website thetrek.co about the infestation.
This unfortunate situation made me doubly glad I was sleeping in my tent instead of the garage.
It also made me feel itchy.
As the day ended, I amused myself by watching a large rooster harass chickens and guinea hens that wandered freely about the yard. The rooster had been quiet all day long, but now it would occasionally crow.
It sounded as though it had a sore throat.
I’ve never been more anxious to get back on the trail. Stick better not be delayed in getting here.