The Rise of Scabies: A Growing Public Health Concern
For many people, especially in the UK, scabies has become a dreaded diagnosis that evokes feelings of shame and isolation. The tiny mites that burrow under human skin can cause intense itching, discomfort, and emotional distress. Louise, a 44-year-old mother of three, knows this all too well. After developing scabies symptoms on her own body in September, she soon saw them appear on her children's bodies as well.
The experience was "hell," says Louise, who was forced to take drastic measures to rid their home of the mites. She packed bin bags with fresh essentials, including clothes and bedding, and quarantined anything that couldn't be washed or steamed daily. The laundry cycle became a never-ending nightmare, with hundreds of disposable gloves being used to minimize contact.
The treatment was grueling, but Louise's family eventually found relief after using permethrin cream twice, which is usually prescribed by GPs for scabies. However, even with treatment, the condition can persist due to factors like "pseudo-resistance," where the mites adapt to repeated treatments or patients fail to apply the cream correctly.
Experts point to several reasons behind the surge in scabies cases, including a delay in seeking medical attention and inadequate tracing of contacts. Young people, particularly those living in communal settings, are often affected more frequently than others.
"I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy," Louise says candidly about her experience with scabies. The condition can be so debilitating that it affects not just the individual but also their loved ones. For John, a 20-year-old who contracted scabies after seeing a new partner, the emotional toll was significant. "I'm going to have quite significant scarring from this as well," he says, referring to the painful and potentially long-lasting effects of the condition.
As the British Association of Dermatologists' Professor Tess McPherson notes, freshers' week has become a peak transmission time for young people living in close proximity. The financial burden of frequent laundry cycles can be overwhelming, making it difficult for students to afford treatment.
Scabies is often stigmatized due to its association with poor hygiene, which leads to delayed seeking medical attention and inadequate treatment. As Dr. Lea Solman, a consultant paediatric dermatologist at Great Ormond Street hospital, notes, "The shame around scabies is one of the biggest obstacles we face in controlling outbreaks."
In Kingston-Upon-Thames, south-west London, consultant Dr. Lewis Haddow sees an increase in scabies cases among young, heterosexual men who often visit STI clinics without proper diagnosis.
The UK Health Security Agency's report shows a significant rise in scabies cases, with 44% more diagnoses recorded in 2024 compared to the previous year. As Professor Michael Marks of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine notes, "the reasons for the ongoing rise are unclear," but factors like outbreaks in crowded settings and delays in treatment may be contributing to the problem.
Ultimately, effective scabies treatment requires not only prompt medical attention but also a comprehensive approach that includes education about proper hygiene practices, awareness of the condition's transmission risks, and the importance of reporting cases.
For many people, especially in the UK, scabies has become a dreaded diagnosis that evokes feelings of shame and isolation. The tiny mites that burrow under human skin can cause intense itching, discomfort, and emotional distress. Louise, a 44-year-old mother of three, knows this all too well. After developing scabies symptoms on her own body in September, she soon saw them appear on her children's bodies as well.
The experience was "hell," says Louise, who was forced to take drastic measures to rid their home of the mites. She packed bin bags with fresh essentials, including clothes and bedding, and quarantined anything that couldn't be washed or steamed daily. The laundry cycle became a never-ending nightmare, with hundreds of disposable gloves being used to minimize contact.
The treatment was grueling, but Louise's family eventually found relief after using permethrin cream twice, which is usually prescribed by GPs for scabies. However, even with treatment, the condition can persist due to factors like "pseudo-resistance," where the mites adapt to repeated treatments or patients fail to apply the cream correctly.
Experts point to several reasons behind the surge in scabies cases, including a delay in seeking medical attention and inadequate tracing of contacts. Young people, particularly those living in communal settings, are often affected more frequently than others.
"I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy," Louise says candidly about her experience with scabies. The condition can be so debilitating that it affects not just the individual but also their loved ones. For John, a 20-year-old who contracted scabies after seeing a new partner, the emotional toll was significant. "I'm going to have quite significant scarring from this as well," he says, referring to the painful and potentially long-lasting effects of the condition.
As the British Association of Dermatologists' Professor Tess McPherson notes, freshers' week has become a peak transmission time for young people living in close proximity. The financial burden of frequent laundry cycles can be overwhelming, making it difficult for students to afford treatment.
Scabies is often stigmatized due to its association with poor hygiene, which leads to delayed seeking medical attention and inadequate treatment. As Dr. Lea Solman, a consultant paediatric dermatologist at Great Ormond Street hospital, notes, "The shame around scabies is one of the biggest obstacles we face in controlling outbreaks."
In Kingston-Upon-Thames, south-west London, consultant Dr. Lewis Haddow sees an increase in scabies cases among young, heterosexual men who often visit STI clinics without proper diagnosis.
The UK Health Security Agency's report shows a significant rise in scabies cases, with 44% more diagnoses recorded in 2024 compared to the previous year. As Professor Michael Marks of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine notes, "the reasons for the ongoing rise are unclear," but factors like outbreaks in crowded settings and delays in treatment may be contributing to the problem.
Ultimately, effective scabies treatment requires not only prompt medical attention but also a comprehensive approach that includes education about proper hygiene practices, awareness of the condition's transmission risks, and the importance of reporting cases.
like how do they even find time to chill with something as fun as that? anyway back to scabies idk how much more ppl can take not being able to wash their clothes without feeling like they're gonna break out into hives 
but i guess thats what happens when u dont prioritize hygiene lol and btw i just saw the most gorgeous sunset on my commute today 
it was literally painting the sky with hues of pink and orange
it's like, you're already feeling crummy, and then you get these tiny little mites crawling all over your skin 
. The thing that gets me is how it spreads so easily in close living situations, like dorms or apartments 
it's not just about treating the person with scabies, you gotta treat everyone else who's been exposed too 
.
her experience with scabies sounds like a nightmare and it's crazy how something so small can cause such intense discomfort. I think it's super understated though that people are too ashamed to talk about it, it's like, it's just part of life right? 
anyway, it's clear that the lack of awareness and education around scabies is a big problem, especially for young people living in close quarters. I mean, who knew that freshers' week could be so deadly? 
seriously though, it's time to break down those stigma barriers and get people talking about this stuff. we need more resources and support for people struggling with scabies, like access to affordable treatment and support groups 
Scabies is like the COVID-19 variant we can't shake off - it's persistent, frustrating, and seems to be on the rise 
. It's time for our health system to step up its game and provide better resources for treatment, especially in high-risk areas like universities 
. And let's not forget about the economic burden - a single family can spend hundreds of pounds on laundry and personal care products just to get rid of the mites 
. It's time for some systemic change, maybe even a National Scabies Treatment Plan 
? We need to break down the stigma around scabies and make it easier for people to seek help without feeling ashamed or isolated 
. Anything less would be a public health embarrassment 
.
. I mean, who wants to be stuck with those annoying mites under their skin? And don't even get me started on the laundry cycle, it's like a never-ending nightmare 
. Freshers' week is a major peak transmission time for young people, and it's not fair that students have to deal with the financial burden of frequent laundry cycles 
.
Freshers' week = peak scabies time, tbh! 
! I mean, who thought it was a good idea to visit an STI clinic without getting tested for scabies? 
Young men in Kingston-Upon-Thames are basically just asking for it by going to those clinics. And don't even get me started on the laundry cycles – hundreds of disposable gloves?! That's just ridiculous 
The shame around scabies is a real thing, but it shouldn't be used to control outbreaks. We need to take action, not just talk about it. 
so sorry to hear all these ppl are going thru this. like, scabies is no joke it's not just about the itching and discomfort, its about the emotional toll too 
newsflash: having 100+ pairs of undies in the wash every day isn't a reflection of your worth as a human being 
and honestly, who's got time for that kind of laundry cycle stress? 
it's not like you're gonna be 'that person' forever, just get treatment and move on 
. People are too ashamed to speak up 
, which leads to more spreadin' 
. We need to raise awareness, educate folks on proper hygiene practices, & get rid of the stigma 
. Freshers' week? That's just an excuse for scabies 
. We gotta step it up, or we'll be in a whole lotta itch 
I'm so over how scabies is still a major public health concern 
. And the fact that young people in communal settings are getting hit hard 
It's not rocket science, folks! 
.