04 January 2024 , 12:51
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Dating app users are being warned to look out for tell-tale signs of scabies due to a surge in cases across the country.
The skin condition, which is passed through intimate skin-on-skin contact, is highly contagious. And now there's been an outbreak in the UK, people have been advised to be cautious.
Those in the dating world should be aware of the risks of sharing bedding, towels and clothing. The condition is caused by a parasitic mite called sarcoptes. These mites will lay their eggs once they have burrowed beneath the skin, and when the eggs hatch, the skin becomes intensely itchy and will cause an irritable rash - which is usually worse at night.
GP and medical director of Cosmedics skin clinics Dr Ross Perry told the Metro he has seen a "rise in scabies" in recent weeks, mostly among "daters" in particular. As the rash can take up to eight weeks to show, it's being easily spread among people sleeping with more than one person. Once a person is infected, the rash can spread at an "alarming rate" and Dr Ross said this can be particularly from sharing bedding, towels and clothes.
"Scabies mites can affect those having sexual intimacy with other people, and this is one infection which a condom won't protect you against. Therefore, avoiding sexual contact if you suspect you might have scabies until treatment is completed is important. At the moment we are seeing a rise in scabies cases, and this is due to outbreaks happening during the winter months when we tend to spend more time indoors and in closer proximity to one another," Dr Ross explained.
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The Guardian reported that GPs have seen "double the amount" of scabies cases in the north of England throughout November, and it doesn't seem as if the cases are slowing down. There has also been a report of scabies outbreaks among fashion students at Central Saint Martins University too, according to doctors and dermatologists.
Symptoms of scabies include:
- Intense itching particularly at night
- Red spots or rashes, especially in between the fingers and on the hands, wrists, under the arms, waist, groin and bottom. The spots may look red and raised, they may be harder to spot on darker skin.
Luckily it's relatively easy to get rid of scabies - the NHS recommends washing all bedding and towels on a high heat (60C) and tumble drying if you have one. Clothes that cannot be washed should be kept in a sealed bag for three days until the mites die on the clothing as scabies cannot live without a host (human). Dr Ross also advised hoovering your floors also. It's important to visit your GP or pharmacist, who will prescribe or recommend either a cream or lotion to apply all over the body to kill the mites and you should act quickly to help stop the spread.
It's important that anyone living in the same household is also treated for scabies due to being highly contagious. It's also important to inform any sexual partners. Once the treatment is completed, it's safe to return to work and school after 24 hours and avoid any sexual contact and sleepovers until the treatment has been done.
More information on scabies can be found on the NHS website here.