These are the Scabies signs and symptoms to look out for after a reported surge in cases across the UK.
NHS figures reveal that 3,689 cases of scabies were diagnosed in hospitals across England up to April this year, a significant increase from the 2,128 cases reported the previous year.
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the tiny Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which measures between 0.3-0.35 mm in length. These mites are transmitted through prolonged periods of close, skin-to-skin contact. They burrow under the skin, leaving a scaly track, where female mites lay their eggs.
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These hatch within three to four days, with the baby mites maturing into adults within one to two weeks. People can develop an allergic reaction to the presence of the mite and its faeces, resulting in an intensely itchy skin rash.
The most commonly affected areas are the webs between fingers and toes, wrists, underarms, umbilical area, groin, and buttocks. It can also affect the head and neck, palms and soles, genitalia, and underneath the breasts.
The scabies rash is characterised by small, intensely itchy red spots. One might notice a linear pattern with a black dot at the end of the burrow. The surrounding skin often becomes red, inflamed and may even scale. Some people may also observe blisters and pustules. These spots can cause severe itching, particularly at night. Even after treatment, the itchiness from scabies can persist for weeks.
Scabies can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the skin lesions, resulting in impetigo, skin abscesses and septicaemia. This could further lead to rheumatic heart disease and kidney disease.
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has expressed concern over a recent surge in scabies cases in the UK. Up until April 2024, 3,689 cases were reported, a significant increase from the previous year's 2,128 cases, reports SurreyLive.
Scabies infestations are generally more prevalent during winter when people tend to spend more time indoors and in close proximity to others. Many individuals are too embarrassed to seek help due to the significant stigma associated with scabies, which has been labelled as a 'Public Health emergency'. Scabies spreads rapidly and controlling outbreaks can be challenging.
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While anyone can contract scabies, it is often seen in babies, small children, the elderly, those living in overcrowded conditions, and people with compromised immune systems. It's important to note that scabies is not caused by poor hygiene and there should be no shame in having it.
Although it can be transmitted during sex due to extensive skin-to-skin contact, it is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease. Most people with scabies do not contract it in this manner.
According to the NHS , there are a number of steps and precautions that people can take in order to reduce the risk of Scabies spreading. They advise that you should wash all bedding and clothing in the house at 60C or higher, and if possible in a hot dryer, on the first day of treatment. Any clothing that cannot be washed in a sealed bag for three days until the mites die.
You should not have sex or close physical contact until you have completed the full course of treatment, or share bedding, clothing or towels with someone with scabies.
In most cases, Scabies can be treated by a pharmacist. The pharmacist will recommend a cream or a lotion that is applied to the whole body. This must be done carefully with specific attention to the body folds such as the finger and toe webs, the axillary areas and under the breasts.
There is specific advice for children aged two and under. Also, any sexual partners in the past eight weeks should also be treated. Adults and children aged five and over can return to work or school immediately after being treated. However, those under the age of five should avoid school or nursery for 24 hours.
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