DOCTORS have reported a "nightmare" surge in a nasty Victorian disease across the UK - here are the symptoms to watch out for.
Scabies is a skin condition caused by an infestation of tiny mites, and a shortage of treatment has sparked fear among medical professionals.
The highly contagious condition causes itchy skin, especially at night, and raised rashes.
It spreads quickly through close skin contact and at the moment it is treated by permethrin or malathion.
However, the UK is facing supply problems to ship these drugs in after both the Ukraine war and rise in costs.
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As reported by the Guardian, dermatologists and GPs are now scrambling for the medication as areas in the north of England saw a concerning double in reported scabies cases in November.
The shortage has led to some patients forking out for expensive alternatives for "inflated prices" online.
Prof Mabs Chowdhury, the president of the British Association of Dermatologists, told the Guardian this is "something that urgently needs more attention".
"Unfortunately, the consequences of treatment shortages are proving easy to ignore," he said.
"There is very limited tracking of scabies cases and people are often embarrassed to talk about it."
The Professor stated the outbreak is of "major concern" in care homes and universities making it harder to stop the spread of infection.
“If even one person isn’t treated completely, everyone can be reinfected," he added.
The winter months also lead to a spike in reports, with more people staying at home together.
Research from a survey by the British Association of Dermatologists, commissioned by the Guardian, revealed eight of its nine regional representatives reported a rise in scabies in their area this year - with seven of nine also reporting shortages of treatment drugs.
A concerned dermatologist in the north-east said this would likely result in "increased spread of infection" and "strain on demand".
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Meanwhile, Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs, said that although Scabies in itself is not a serious condition - it can exacerbate existing skin conditions.
She said: “It can also affect a patient’s quality of life, so quick treatment is important.
"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.
“When any prescribed medication is unavailable, or in short supply, it is worrying for GPs, pharmacists and patients alike."
'We must reduce any stigma'
Another problem facing the treatment of scabies is the stigma surrounding the condition.
Dr Tess McPherson, the president of the British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology, warned: “We must reduce any stigma associated with having scabies so that people do seek treatments when needed.”
The doctor explained her own son had been treated for it as a University student.
Although Dr McPherson was "surprised" she said it was not shocking given "seeing cases of scabies much more regularly in children and young people".
How to treat scabies
While scabies is not usually a serious condition, it's important patients receive treatment.
The condition is very infectious, however it can take up to eight weeks for the rash to appear.
According to the NHS website, a pharmacist will recommend a cream or lotion that you apply over your whole body.
You'll need to repeat the treatment one week later.
Everyone in your home needs to be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms.
Although scabies is not a sexually transmitted infection, anyone you have had sexual contact with in the past 8 weeks should also be treated.
