If you notice these minute red lesions on your arm or hand, it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately, as they may signify a serious underlying condition.

There are numerous documented cases of scabies in the UK today. It is recommended that individuals experiencing red spots on their bodies seek medical attention and not disregard the symptoms.

Scabies is a pruritic rash caused by mites transmitted through close skin contact. The condition can affect any individual, emphasising the necessity for early treatment to prevent its propagation.

The common symptoms associated with this condition include pruritus and the appearance of a rash or spots, which are most prevalent during nocturnal hours.

Scabies is a cutaneous condition that causes pruritic erythematous papules to appear. These lesions are typically located on the body but not on the head or neck. They frequently manifest in the interdigital spaces between the fingers, around the wrists, beneath the arms, on the waist, the buttocks, and the groin.

The condition is not exclusive to adults; it can affect young children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems. The most affected areas are the head, neck, palms, and soles. A highly infectious form of crusted scabies has been observed to manifest as a flaky rash on the elbows, knees, hands, and feet of individuals with compromised immune systems.

The NHS has reported that the number of individuals diagnosed with the infection in hospitals across the country has exceeded 3,600.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, RCGP chairwoman, posits that a significant proportion of individuals afflicted with the infection abstain from seeking medical attention due to the pervasive “social stigma” associated with the condition. She stated that the number of GP diagnoses was “above the five-year average and rising, with the north of England seeing a significant increase in cases.”

Scabies is not a serious condition; however, it has the potential to be bothersome and irritating.

“In the absence of proper treatment, the condition has the potential to disseminate, thereby increasing the likelihood of the patient developing secondary skin infections or exacerbating pre-existing skin conditions.”

One of the factors contributing to the outbreak of scabies, despite the social stigma associated with it, is the limited availability of treatment.