Doctors warn: if you have these tiny red dots on your arm, do not ignore the warning signs
The United Kingdom is experiencing unusually large scabies outbreaks and doctors urge people to seek medical treatment if they notice red dots on their body and not to ignore the symptoms.
Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites that spreads through close skin contact. Early treatment is crucial in order to stop the spreading. Anyone can be affected by it.
Some of the common symptoms are intense itching, especially at night, and a raised rash or spots.
Scabies typically causes a rash across the body, not including the head and neck, and often appears between fingers, around wrists, underarms, waist, groin, and bottom.
According to NHS, the number of cases of people affected by the infection who were diagnosed in hospitals around the country is over 3,600.
According to Prof Kamila Hawthorne, RCGP chairwoman, many people who experience the symptoms refuse to seek medical help because of the “social stigma” surrounding the infection. She said that the number of GP diagnoses was “above the five-year average and rising, with the north of England seeing a spike in cases.”
“If not properly treated, it can spread and increase a patient’s risk of complications, such as secondary skin infections or make existing skin conditions worse.”
One of the reasons for the scabies outbreak, despite the social stigma attached to it, is the shortage of treatment.