Scabies is a contagious skin condition that, if not treated promptly, can spread like wildfire.
This Victorian-era disease is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin, causing itching and a rash that usually spreads across the whole body.
The rash can affect any part of the body, for example the underarm area, between fingers and around the wrist, the inside of the elbow, buttocks, lower legs, knees, shoulder blades, the groin, palms, soles and sides of the feet.
People with scabies will usually have, on average, about a dozen adult mites on their skin.
GPs in the UK have reported a surge in scabies cases, with NHS figures showing around 3,689 cases of the Victorian-era disease were detected in hospitals in England in the year to April, a rise from 2,128 the year before.
One of the first symptoms to look out for when fearing to be affected by scabies is intense itching, especially at night. After the tiny mites lay eggs in the skin, you may notice silvery lines with a dot at one end.
The second sign to watch out for is the rash can appear anywhere, but often it starts between the fingers. Finally, the third sign of scabies is the rash spreading and turning into tiny red spots.
The NHS says: “The scabies rash usually spreads across the whole body – apart from the head. Elderly people, young children and those with a weakened immune system may also develop a rash on their head and neck.”
The most prevalent symptom of scabies is an intensely itchy rash. The rash typically has small, pimple-like bumps within it. Sometimes, you can see what looks like tiny paths in your skin. This is where the female mites are burrowing. These paths can be skin colored or gray lines.
Eczema typically appears in patches and may appear red with blisters on it. These blisters usually break easily and seep clear liquid. The rash may itch, and the skin may appear dry and scaly or flaky.
As for eczema, different types can appear on different parts of the body. They also show up for different triggers and can’t be passed from person to person.
Sometimes, if the itching is too intense, you may bleed. This in turn makes the eczema worse. This is called the “itch-scratch cycle.”
The British Association of Dermatologists says the treatment of scabies involves using medication to get rid of scabies, and then making sure that you, family members, friends and any sexual contacts are all treated at the same time, whether they are itchy or not.
Several preparations are effective in the treatment of scabies. Of these, permethrin cream and malathion liquid are the ones used most commonly in the UK.
The treatment should then be applied to all areas of the skin below the neck and left on for at least 12 hours before being washed off. When you wash your hands or any part of your body, the treatment should be re-applied.
Two treatments, one week apart, are necessary to kill the mites, as some may have hatched out from eggs after the first application. You should then put bedding and clothes to wash at a high temperature to eradicate mites.
