Hundreds of Brits hospitalised as Victorian illness with dangerous complications spreads

New figures have revealed that hundreds of people across the UK have been hospitalised due to a rare skin condition, which is on the rise

New data has revealed that hundreds of people have been hospitalised due to a rare skin condition. NHS figures show an increase in diagnoses of scabies.

Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites. It’s spread through close skin contact, and anyone can get it. It should be treated quickly to stop it spreading, the NHS says. Although typically not serious and treatable with creams or lotions, it can cause severe itching.

According to reports, medics are currently facing a shortage of the two drugs used to treat it. Permethrin and malathion are both in short supply due to the war in Ukraine and the rise in costs of raw materials.

According to experts, the condition on its own is not severe but can exacerbate other existing conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, while scratching it can cause it to become infected and cause impetigo, which leads to life-threatening conditions.

Experts are attributing the rise in diseases like measles, whooping cough, and scabies to poverty and declining vaccination rates.

Measles and whooping cough cases are also on the rise in many regions. Measles typically begins with cold-like symptoms before developing into a rash. If it spreads to the lungs or brain, it can lead to serious complications, reports the Mirror.

Across England, hospital visits resulting in a measles diagnosis increased five-fold, to 2,305 visits last year. This was the largest increase among any condition with at least 1,000 hospitalisations in England.

Whooping cough figures have tripled, with a shocking 1,696 cases reported this year alone, alongside a 66% rise in scabies infections, resulting in 5,661 primary and secondary diagnoses. Gwen Nightingale, of the Health Foundation, underscored the connection between poverty and disease proliferation: "Not having enough income to sustain a basic standard of living can have a negative impact on health, through factors like cold, damp homes or an inability to access healthy foods. The stress of living on a low income can also negatively impact health," she commented.

"The Government has a choice as to whether it wants to perpetuate the current numbers of families living in poverty."

Nightingale is urging the government to ensure that people are equipped with adequate income, decent affordable housing, and access to green spaces to combat these diseases.

In a stark warning from the UK Health Service Authority, the increase in measles hospitalisations signals potential faltering vaccination rates. A representative warned: "In addition to measles, many children are also missing out on protection against other serious diseases, including whooping cough, meningitis, diphtheria and polio. It is especially tragic to see kids suffer when these diseases are so easily preventable."

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccination and screening, has voiced his alarm over recent figures: "These worrying figures highlight that too many children are still not fully protected against diseases like measles and whooping cough, which can cause serious illness but are preventable."

He emphasised the importance of immunisation, saying, "Vaccines are parents' best defence against these illnesses that's why the NHS offers them free, saving thousands of lives and preventing tens of thousands of hospital admissions every year."

Mr Russell urged parents to check their child's vaccination status and to book an appointment with their GP if their child is not up to date.

How to treat scabies

A pharmacist will recommend a cream or lotion that you apply over your whole body. It's important to read the instructions carefully. Let the pharmacist know if you're breastfeeding or pregnant. You'll need to repeat the treatment one week later.

Scabies is very infectious, but it can take up to eight weeks for the rash to appear. Everyone in your home needs to be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms. But do not use pharmacy treatments on children under two years old, they will need to see a GP. More information about the condition is available on the NHS website here.

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