A Victorian disease is rising across the UK with cases up by a fifth. New figures showed there were almost 900 cases of the hightly contagious infection last week, a 20% increase on the previous year, according to the figures from the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Research and Surveillance Centre .
Scabies is transmitted through close skin contact, putting entire households at risk if one member contracts it. The hallmark symptom of scabies is a rash that spreads across the body, excluding the head and neck in most instances. However, it can take up to eight weeks for this rash to appear. The condition triggers severe itching, particularly noticeable at night.
The NHS states that the raised, red rash typically appears on the fingers, wrists, underarms, waist, groin, and buttocks. In young children and the elderly, rashes may also develop on the head, neck, palms, and even the soles of their feet.
While scabies is generally not severe, people with compromised immune systems may contract a rarer form known as crusted scabies. This variant results in a crusty, flaky rash often found on the elbows, knees, hands, and feet.
The condition is caused by mites burrowing into the skin to reproduce. These parasites and their eggs can also survive in bedding and towels.
Although many illnesses and conditions can cause rashes resembling scabies, a distinctive sign is the presence of lines in the skin with a dot at one end, indicating where the tiny mites have laid their eggs. Those suspecting they might have scabies need not rush to a GP, as pharmacists can suggest suitable treatments.
Typically, this involves applying a cream or lotion all over the body, including the scalp and face. The NHS advises that this treatment should be repeated after a week, and everyone in your household must undergo it simultaneously, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms or not.
However, children under two years old showing signs of scabies will need to consult a GP.
If you or anyone in your home has scabies, it’s advisable to wash all bedding and clothing at 60C or higher, ideally in a hot dryer, on the first day of treatment to eliminate any mites lurking in the fabric. Clothing that can’t be washed should be sealed in a bag for approximately three days, which is sufficient time for the mites to die.
Scabies has been recorded as far back as 2,500 years ago. It became prevalent during the Victorian era due to societal conditions such as overcrowding and poor hygiene.
It wasn’t until the mid-1800s that the cause was identified as an itch mite. Prior to this discovery, it was mistakenly believed to be a sexually transmitted disease.
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