BRITS have been urged to be vigilant about the signs of a Victorian disease that triggers nightmarish attacks of itching.
Parts of the country have seen an alarming “spike” in cases, GPs warned – telling people not to ignore key symptoms of the parasitic skin infection for fear of it spreading further.
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Transmitted by tiny mites that burrow under the skin and lay eggs, scabies was rife during the Victorian period.
They leave sufferers with an intensely itchy rash that can last for months.
Scabies is highly infectious and spread by close personal contact, meaning it needs to be treated quickly to stop transmission.
But GPs fear that the stigma around the condition will stop people from getting it seen to, as the north of England sees a surge in cases.
More on Victorian diseases
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “The rate of scabies presentations in general practice is above the five-year average and rising, with the north of England seeing a spike in scabies cases.”
Despite this write, she noted that “incidences are still infrequent”.
Prof Hawthorne added: “We recognise that patients may be apprehensive to seek treatment given the social stigma that surrounds the condition, but it is important that they don’t ignore their symptoms.
“This could lead to them getting worse and risks transmitting the condition to other people – particularly if they are living in close proximity to others such as on a university campus.”
Some 3,689 cases were diagnosed in hospitals in England this year as of April – up from 2,128 the previous year, according to NHS figures.
The BBC also received reports from people at five universities around the country, who spoke of multiple cases arising “out of nowhere” and whole houses having scabies.
Earlier this year, the UK faced an “alarming” shortage of medicines used to treat scabies, which coincided with reports of outbreaks.
Dermatologists who spoke to the Guardian at the time described the situation as an “absolute nightmare”.
As scabies mites burrow into the skin, they leave behind them lines with a dot at one end that develop into a rash of raised spots.
This rash can get intensely itchy, especially at night.
It can appear anywhere, but is common between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, and around the waist, groin and bottom.
But older people and young children may develop a rash on their head, neck, palms and soles of their feet.
Symptoms of scabies and how to treat it
The symptoms of scabies are:
- intense itching, especially at night
- a raised rash or spots
The spots may look red and are more difficult to see on brown or black skin – but you should be able to feel them.
Scabies is not usually a serious condition, but it does need to be treated.
A pharmacist will recommend a cream or lotion that you apply over your whole body.
Let the pharmacist know if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant.
You’ll need to repeat the treatment one week later.
Scabies is very infectious, but it can take up to eight weeks for the rash to appear.
Everyone in your home needs to be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms.
But do not use pharmacy treatments on children under two years old, they will need to see a GP.
Anyone you’ve had sexual contact with in the past eight weeks should also be treated.
Source: NHS
People with a weakened immune system can sometimes get a rare and very contagious type of scabies, called crusted scabies.
The main symptom is a crusted, flaky rash that often affects the elbows, knees, hands and feet.
Prof Hawthorne said: “While not a serious condition, scabies can be very itchy and irritating, and can be easily contracted through close physical contact.
“If not properly treated, it can spread and increase a patient’s risk of complications such as secondary skin infections or make existing skin conditions worse.”
How to treat scabies
Scabies can be easily treated if you get it seen to promptly.
Prof Hawthorne said:“The treatment for scabies is a topical cream or lotion – the most commonly used are permethrin cream and malathion lotion – that can be purchased in pharmacies, or by prescription in general practice.”
You should also take measures to avoid spreading it around if you catch the skin infection.
“All patients with the condition should wash their bedding and clothes on a high temperature and avoid physical contact with others until they have completed the full course of treatment,” Prof Hawthorne advised.
“If symptoms persist following treatment, then a patient should contact their GP.
“We are aware that the symptoms can affect a patient’s quality of life so we will try our best to ensure an individual receives prompt and effective treatment.”
