As scabies cases continue to surge across the UK, health experts at NowPatient have revealed everything you need to know about the condition and how to stop it from spreading.

Scabies is a highly contagious skin condition caused by parasitic mites that burrow beneath the skin, laying eggs and leading to a range of side effects, including a bumpy skin rash and intense itching. Due to its highly infectious nature, the skin condition needs to be treated quickly to prevent symptoms from worsening and further spread.

Navin Khosla, a pharmacist at NowPatient, emphasized the importance of vigilance as scabies cases continue to surge. According to experts, GPs in the north of England witnessed more than double the average number of scabies cases in November alone.

Scabies often causes a bumpy rash between the fingers, on the wrists, or elbows, accompanied by an intense itching sensation. It spreads through close skin contact, making it crucial to understand how to prevent its spread if contracted.