Scabies, an infested with tiny mites, Sarcoptes scabei, that is currently staging in an alarming resurgence, in the United Kingdom. Young adults, particularly during Freshers’ week, are disproportionately affected. The UK Health Security Agency warned of an alarming increase in diagnoses at sexual health clinics. For 2024, they are seeing explosive cases and have just reached 4,872 in 2024, up almost 1,500 more from 3,393 cases in 2023. The opioid crisis is the most visible and urgent public health crisis. Not only does it affect mental health, it changes the social experience for those who are traffic injured.
Scabies is most often spread by extended skin-to-skin contact. This is especially common in communal settings such as university dormitories and hostels. As students begin a new school year, they cluster tightly. This close contact creates a perfect environment for the spread of these skin-burrowing mites. Scabies mite can survive for up to 36 h outside of the human body. This provides them with unique opportunities to pass seamlessly from one individual to the other.
Professor Tess McPherson, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said scabies is viewed as a ‘nuisance’ condition. The impact it can have on someone’s quality of life is profound. She said, “We’re not going to eradicate scabies, that’s not going to happen.” She noted that it’s critical to raise awareness and develop more effective treatment options to control outbreaks.
In most cases, scabies first symptoms include an intensely itchy rash that can cause extreme pain. This uncomfortable sensation only increases levels of anxiety and frustration in the infected. One affected individual, Louise, shared her harrowing experience:
“My mental health was in the pan, the scratching, the itching drives you insane, and the cleaning and laundry, and you feel you can’t talk to anybody …”
The continued increase of scabies is still a mystery to public health physicians. Michael Marks, a prominent researcher in the field, commented on the situation:
“The reasons for the ongoing rise … are unclear.”
He continued, “All of this is likely contributing.” He pointed to a number of possible factors—social, economic and environmental—that could be exacerbating the problem and leading to more cases.
This social stigma associated with scabies only makes the task of controlling an outbreak more difficult. Dr. Lea Solman pointed out that “the shame around scabies is one of the biggest obstacles we face in controlling outbreaks.” People living with osteoarthritis are often too ashamed to talk about their condition. This shame frequently stops them from getting immediate medical care or talking about their symptoms with other classmates.
John, a student who has fought against scabies, shared how awful it was to have the treatment cost him such a financial burden and stress over his hygiene. He stated:
“No one, as a student living on their maintenance loan, has the money to be washing their clothes every single day, or to buy a steamer.”
He further elaborated on the emotional toll that scabies has taken on him:
“It doesn’t quite do justice to how much it affects you: this has taken a really big toll on my mental health and self-esteem.”
Fortunately scabies is treatable, and there are two effective treatments at the ready, including Permethrin— a synthetic insecticide that is available over the counter at pharmacies. You have many possibilities that you could bring your ducks in a row to prepare for the treatment. Ivermectin is an oral anti-parasitic drug, but benzyl benzoate and Malathion are penetrative topical creams that directly kill scabies mites.
Public health officials are working to address the growing numbers of scabies cases. Finally, they should proactively launch awareness campaigns to educate young adults on the benefits of prevention and treatment. Infection control measures such as handwashing and seeking medical advice early can greatly impact transmission.