Doctors report ‘nightmare’ surge in scabies across UK

Exclusive: Proliferation comes amid treatment shortage and poses major public health threat, say experts

Doctors are reporting a surge in scabies cases across the UK amid an acute shortage of treatments, and say the “nightmare” situation poses a major public health threat.

Scabies is a highly contagious condition caused by mites, that results in an itchy rash. It is spread through close skin contact, anyone can get it, and it should be treated quickly to stop it spreading.