Medieval skin disease outbreak in the UK leaves patients’ skin ‘crawling’

A skin infection that was rampant in the Middle Ages has caused an outbreak in the UK as many schools across Devon have closed as a precaution, according to reports.

Britain is facing a spike in scabies after a college in Paignton reported at least 'seven confirmed cases'.

"These cases have been diagnosed by a health professional," South Devon College told parents via email.

The total number of confirmed cases has now jumped to 19, with five schools (including two primary schools) in Torbay dealing with outbreaks and closing to safeguard pupils, Chronicle Live reports.

The skin condition looks a bit like eczema and cases could be rising because people are diagnosing themselves too late which allows the infection to spread, a dermatologist has suggested.

“Patients might not present to their GP because they think it is just eczema,” Dr Firas Al-Niaimi told The Sun.

"We are seeing a noticeable rise in cases of scabies in Central London at the moment but also across the UK in general," Dr Tony Banerjee, a GP at HarleyDoc, added to the Daily Mail.

What is scabies?

The rash is common between the fingers (NHS)

Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites and spreads through close skin contact.

The NHS warns that 'anyone can get it' and that 'spot may look red'.

"They are more difficult to see on brown or black skin, but you should be able to feel them," they added.

While older people and young children can develop a rash 'on their head, neck, palms and soles of their feet', for most people it often 'affects skin between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, and around the waist, groin and bottom'.

Scabies is when tiny mites lay eggs in the skin (NHS)

"People with a weakened immune system can sometimes get a rare and very contagious type of scabies called crusted scabies," the health service said, adding that symptoms can take eight weeks to appear.

"The main symptom is a crusted, flaky rash that often affects the elbows, knees, hands and feet."

“Scabies is a common skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite,” Dr Miriam Mikicki, GP and functional medicine practitioner at health.miro, told PA.

“These mites lay eggs under the skin, causing an allergic reaction that leads to intense itching and a distinctive rash.”

Treatment for scabies

Scabies can be very itchy (NHS)

While scabies isn't usually serious, it should still be treated fairly soon.

Your pharmacy should be able to provide a cream or lotion that can applied all over your body.

“To relieve discomfort, doctors may prescribe topical steroid creams for inflammation and itchiness,” adds Dr Aleksandar Godic, consultant dermatologist at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic.

The NHS recommends that everyone in your home should be treated at the same time, even without symptoms.

"But do not use pharmacy treatments on children under 2 years old, they will need to see a GP," the health service said.

"Anyone you've had sexual contact with in the past 8 weeks should also be treated."

Tips to stop scabies spreading

To reduce the risk of it spreading, the NHS recommends to wash all bedding and clothes at 60C or higher on a hot dryer on the first day of treatment.

It's also worth putting clothes that can't be washed in a bag for three days so the mites can die off.

Avoid sharing clothes, bedding or towels in the house and don't have sex until the full treatment course has been completed.

For more information, visit the NHS page.