The sudden rise of scabies: ‘I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy’
These microscopic mites, which burrow under your skin and cause ferocious itching, are incredibly hard to get rid of – and cases in the UK have soared. What is causing the outbreak, and is there anything we can do about it?
TL;DR
- Scabies cases have surged in the UK, with significant increases reported since 2021 and a further rise in 2023-2024.
- The condition, caused by microscopic mites burrowing under the skin, leads to severe itching, sleeplessness, and significant mental health distress.
- Affected individuals often resort to extreme cleaning routines, including constant laundry, steaming, and quarantining of belongings, to combat the infestation.
- Scabies can be difficult to treat, sometimes requiring multiple rounds of medication and intense environmental decontamination, leading to substantial financial costs.
- The condition is sometimes mistaken for an STI, leading individuals to seek help at sexual health services, where diagnoses have increased by 44%.
- Possible contributing factors to the rise include potential mite resistance to treatments like permethrin, supply chain issues for medications, increased social mixing post-pandemic, and delays in accessing healthcare.
- Young people, particularly those in communal living situations like university halls, are disproportionately affected.
- Stigma and embarrassment surrounding scabies prevent individuals from seeking help promptly and from engaging in necessary contact tracing and treatment.
- While scabies is not an STI, it is often presented at STI clinics when initial treatments fail or when GPs recommend specialized care.
- The intense itching can lead to secondary infections, and in rare cases, complications like renal disease.
- There is no known way to completely eliminate scabies, but scrupulous treatment and public health awareness are considered crucial.