GPs are reporting a huge surge in cases of a ‘very infectious’ skin condition, particularly in the north of England.
Scabies is caused by mites which burrow under to skin to lay eggs which causes an itchy rash, with symptoms typically appearing around a month to six weeks after infection.
The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has said the skin condition can also spread quickly in places where people live closely together, such as universities and care homes.
According to the NHS, cases diagnosed in English hospitals have surged by 73% in the 12 months up to April 2024, up to 3,689 from 2,128 the year before.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, told the BBC 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.
The scabies rash usually spreads across the whole body, apart from the head and neck. It often affects skin between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, and around the waist, groin and bottom.
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: “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 as this could lead to them getting worse and risks transmitting the condition to other people.”
Scabies is not usually a serious condition, but it does need to be treated.
Salford residents can visit their local GP and a pharmacist will recommend a cream or lotion that you apply over your whole body.
For more information on scabies click here.
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