How to reduce chance of getting scabies amid ‘nightmare’ outbreak
A surge in scabies cases across the UK has been reported, so how can you reduce your chance of contracting the contagious condition?
Scabies is the term for an itchy rash caused by mites and spread through close skin contact, meaning anyone can get it.
The spread can be stopped if it's treated quickly, but British doctors have reported a shortage of treatments and called the outbreak a “public health threat”, according to the Guardian.
Experts said the outbreaks have mostly occurred in care homes and university accommodations, and have called the situation an “absolute nightmare”.
"Since July, GPs have seen a growing rate of scabies presentations – at a consistently higher level than the five-year average and the seasonal norm," Prof Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, told the Guardian.
"This has been particularly pronounced in the north of England. At the end of November, the rate of scabies was three cases per 100,000 of the population which is double the seasonal average."
Signs of scabies
The way scabies spreads is by direct skin-to-skin contact with another person who has scabies. The NHS says some signs you may have scabies include:
Intense nighttime itching
A raised rash or spots
A line under the skin with a dot on the end
The rash can take up to eight weeks to appear, and is more common between your fingers, but it can spread to other parts of your body too.
It recommends treating scabies quickly to stop the spreading, and that you can get a special cream from your pharmacist that should get rid of them. But you will also need to wash all of your bedding and clothing in the house on a hot wash and in a hot dryer on the first day of treatment to prevent it spreading any further.
How to reduce your chance of getting scabies
Baqir Khan, cleaning expert and owner of Proactive Cleaners, says one of the best ways to prevent scabies spreading is to keep on top of cleanliness in your home, and suggests taking the actions below.
Regularly wash bedding and clothing
"All bedding, including blankets, pillowcases, sheets, and skin-contact clothing, should be washed in hot water," Khan says.
"Aim for a minimum of 50C or higher for the water temperature. This temperature is the ideal heat for killing scabies mites and their eggs. Ideally, aim to wash these items at least once a week to minimise the risk of re-infestation."
Give the home a thorough clean and vacuum
Khan recommends regularly hoovering and cleaning your living spaces, and to be particularly careful with upholstered furniture, carpets, and rugs, as these can be potential hotbeds for the mites.
"To stop any possible mites from spreading, either dispose of the vacuum bag or clean the vacuum canister after vacuuming," he says.
Practice personal hygiene
"Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after handling objects or locations that may be infected, will lower your chances of contracting scabies," Khan says.
"Regular nail trimming also lowers the chance of mites collecting under the nails, and encouraging everyone in your household to follow suit can make a significant difference."
Avoid prolonged skin-to-skin contact
As the main way that scabies spread is through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, Khan suggests refraining from being in close proximity with people you don’t know, or who are known to have scabies.
If you or a family member does pick up scabies, it’s best to start treatment as soon as possible.
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