Doctors across the UK are reporting a surge in scabies cases, with the condition spreading rapidly due to a shortage of treatments. The situation has been described as an 'absolute nightmare' by dermatologists, who warn it poses a major public health threat.
Scabies, caused by mites, is highly contagious and spreads through close skin contact. Two main treatments, permethrin and malathion, have been in short supply for months due to supply chain issues, the war in Ukraine, and rising raw material costs. This has led to outbreaks in care homes, nursing homes, and university accommodation.
In November, the north of England saw double the usual number of cases, with a rate of three per 100,000 people. National tracking of scabies is very limited, suggesting the problem may be worse than feared. Some patients have resorted to buying expensive alternative treatments online from outside the UK.
Professor Mabs Chowdhury, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: 'The shortage of scabies treatments is something that urgently needs more attention. The public health calculation is not particularly complex – scabies spreads easily and if people aren’t treated, then it will continue to spread.'
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, noted that since July, GPs have seen a growing rate of scabies presentations, consistently higher than the five-year average. She added that any medication shortages make the situation worse for patients and healthcare providers alike.
