Brits urged to look out for key signs as cases of highly contagious skin disease surge
Brits have been urged to look out for two major key symptoms as cases of a highly contagious skin disease have sky-rocketed.
People all across the UK have been warned over what exactly they need to look out for when it comes to the stomach-churning infestation that appears to have grown in numbers since last year.
The skin disease is none other than scabies but what are the main symptoms of it and what on earth do you do if you have it?
Intense itching
The first major symptoms of scabies if some pretty intense itching - especially at nighttime.
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Many other things can cause itchy skin so be sure to speak to your GP to make sure you know for sure what's causing it.
It's important to check out intense itching ASAP as scratching the rash can cause skin infections like impetigo, as well as make existing skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis worse.
Raised rash or spots
And the second is noticeably raised rashes or spots.
The NHS warns that these spots may appear reddish in colour before turning into tiny spots and 'you should be able to feel them'.
Without grossing you out too much, these rashes appear after tiny mites lay eggs in the skin, leaving lines with a dot at one end.
While it can be anywhere on the body, apart from the head and neck, the rash is very common between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, and around the waist, groin and bottom.
Older people and young children may also develop a rash on their head, neck, palms and soles of their feet.
Flaky rash
Those with a weakened immune system can sometimes get a rare and very contagious type of scabies, called crusted scabies.
The main symptom of this is a crusted, flaky rash that often affects the elbows, knees, hands and feet.
What to do if you spot the symptoms of scabies?
Now, while scabies is not usually a serious condition - it does need to be treated.
A pharmacist will be able to recommend a cream or lotion that you apply over your whole body but, as scabies is super infectious, it's important everyone in your home be treated at the same time as it can sometimes take up to eight weeks for a scabies rash to even appear.
Additionally, anyone you’ve had sexual contact with in the past eight weeks should also be treated.
Once that's sorted, put a big wash on of all your bedding and clothing at 60C or higher on the first day of treatment.
And for any clothing that can't be washed, be sure to whack it in a sealed bag for three days until the mites die.
Do not share bedding, clothing or towels with someone with scabies.
Also, it's recommended that anyone with scabies does not have sex or close physical contact until you have completed the full course of treatment.
Find out more about scabies on the official NHS website here.
Rhiannon Ingle