"Crazy how a Victorian disease is making its way back."
Doctors in England are urging the public to be vigilant as an outbreak of scabies spreads nationwide. The highly contagious skin disease is causing concern.
NHS figures revealed that 3,689 cases of scabies were diagnosed in hospitals in England between April 2023 and April 2024.
This was a sharp increase from 2,128 the previous year.
According to the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), scabies can spread quickly in care facilities and universities where individuals live in close proximity.
The RCGP Chairwoman, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, noted that while incidences remained infrequent, the number of GP diagnoses was “above the five-year average and rising, with the north of England seeing a spike in cases”.
Scabies are caused by tiny mites that burrow under the skin and lay eggs. It is spread through close physical contact, bedding, and clothes.
Experts fear the actual number of cases could be far higher.
However, the “social stigma” surrounding the condition may be preventing people from seeking treatment.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne stated:
“We recognise that patients may be apprehensive about seeking treatment given the social stigma that surrounds the condition, but they mustn’t ignore their symptoms as this could lead to them getting worse and risks transmitting the condition to other people.”
Doctors say everyone infected needs to be treated with a cream or lotion from the pharmacy simultaneously.
Moreover, patients are also advised to wash their bedding and clothes at a high temperature.
Find out all you need to know on the NHS website.
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— NHS (@NHSuk) October 25, 2024
Dr Alison George, a GP in the north of England who works in an emergency department, said many students come straight to A&E.
However, this was only after the disease worsened.
She revealed: “It can be really nasty. It is then really difficult to treat if you’ve got a really large area of the body covered in it.”
The rise in scabies cases has increased trepidation as posts are shared online.
A Birmingham resident named Sonia told DESIblitz:
“[My] mum saw a story on TikTok and has been freaking out since.
“Telling us to wash our hands when we come from outside. She is paranoid about us having contact with too many people.
“To stop her from panicking, I had to research the symptoms and get more details.
“Information is definitely key to preventing panic.
“Crazy how a Victorian disease is making its way back.”
Scabies symptoms can take up to eight weeks to manifest.
UK Health Security guidelines stressed the need to identify close contacts, including visitors, up to eight weeks before diagnosis and refer them all for treatment.
This is not the first time in 2024 that concerns have been raised over a surge in scabies cases.
In January, medical personnel raised concerns amid an acute shortage of treatments.
At the time, supply chain issues caused by the war in Ukraine and a rise in raw materials costs made it difficult to treat scabies quickly.
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