UK Health Officials Report Surge in Scabies Cases, Raising Contagion Concerns
A highly contagious skin infection once common in Victorian times, scabies, is experiencing a meaningful resurgence in the United Kingdom, prompting health concerns.Diagnoses have risen sharply, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), jumping from approximately 1,400 in 2022 to nearly 4,900 in 2024.
Scabies is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite,which burrows into the skin,causing intense itching and a rash. The infection spreads through prolonged, close skin-to-skin contact. The rash is frequently enough mistaken for eczema or other skin conditions, leading to potential delays in treatment, and can even be contracted without immediately showing symptoms, increasing the risk of further transmission.
“Scabies is very contagious and spreads very quickly, so it needs to be caught early to limit infections,” Dr. Firas al-niaimi,a London-based consultant dermatologist,told The Sun.
Symptoms typically appear between two and eight weeks after infection. the National Health Service (NHS) states the rash generally affects the entire body, excluding the head and neck, and commonly appears between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, and around the waist, groin, and buttocks. However, the NHS notes that older individuals and young children may develop a rash on their head, neck, palms, and soles of their feet. The rash can also be more tough to identify on brown or black skin.
While not typically a serious condition, scabies requires treatment for all household members simultaneously, even those without visible symptoms, to prevent re-infestation.
