Doctors warn against ignoring rashes.

There’s a sharp rise in scabies cases across England, with GPs reporting a surge in diagnoses. This highly contagious skin infestation can cause intense itching and discomfort if left untreated.

Scabies is caused by a tiny mite that burrows into the skin to lay eggs. It spreads through close physical contact, shared bedding, and clothing. The condition thrives in communal living settings like universities and care homes.

While scabies is not considered a serious medical condition, the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) warns that it can lead to complications like secondary skin infections and worsen existing skin conditions.

Reports from universities across the country paint a worrying picture. Students are describing sudden outbreaks, with entire houses affected. One student told the BBC how “tiny red dots” on his wrist quickly spread, suspecting it from sharing beds with his housemates.

Another student shared his struggle, saying he’d been battling scabies for months. He attributed his likely source of infection to “a lot of sleeping together.”

Prof. Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the RCGP, emphasizes the importance of seeking treatment for scabies, despite the social stigma surrounding it.

“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,” she said.

Prompt treatment with a cream or lotion available at pharmacies is crucial for everyone infected. Thorough washing of bedding and clothing at high temperatures also helps prevent the spread.

Dr. Alison George, a GP in the north of England, stresses the importance of early treatment.

“It can be really nasty. It is then really difficult to treat if you’ve got a really large area of the body covered in it,” she warned.