A Health Advisory on the Rise

General practitioners nationwide raise an alarmed cry over the case of scabies, which keeps climbing in that country. Scabies cases remind people to diagnose and treat the condition early on to prevent its spread within households and communities. Scabies is diagnosed easily as eczema or rashes, and thus cases tend to be treated late, with the condition spreading further.

What Is Scabies?
Scabies is a highly communicable infestation of the skin by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which burrows under the skin and causes itching and rashes. It transmits through prolonged contact with the skin. Thus, it thrives well in crowded living environments such as care homes, dormitories, and some families. Those infected may be disturbed by the itching at night.

Warnings have been issued by GPs that neglect of early signs like persistent itching, red bumps, and skin irritation could lead to some serious complications, mostly arising from infections caused by scratching.
Increasing Cases: More and more patients are increasingly recognizing the necessity of an early detection process.
Scabies cases have been reported in GPs more than ever before, with infections reported in different places and have been on the rise. Delays in treatment coupled with intimate contact settings have been associated with the unprecedented rate of infections through misdiagnosis or dismissal of symptoms as normal skin infections.

“Scabies is very contagious, and should be treated immediately,” believes Dr. Sarah Thompson, a GP in London. “It can spread extremely fast among the family members and close contacts if not treated in time,” she says.

Treatment and Prevention
The good news here is that with prescription medications like permethrin cream or oral ivermectin, scabies can be treated effectively. GPs also make it very important that when treating, all close contacts should be treated at the same time, even if they have no symptoms at hand; otherwise, one could risk reinfection.

To minimize the possibility of transmission among patients, doctors advise the following:

• Limit the skin-to-skin contact of an extended period with the infested patient
• Wash clothes, bedding, and towels used by the patient in hot water
• Informing the doctor if any itch or unusual symptoms persist

Conclusion: Call to Action
Despite a continued increase in scabies cases, GPs urge the public not to put down its symptoms but seek medical advice immediately. Early treatment is important not only for cure purposes but also to prevent the spread of infections within communities.

Increased awareness of scabies and its treatment would really go a long way in preventing such outbreaks and the resultant debilitated health conditions. Quick attention to the symptoms along with responsible treatment can further stop the spread of this irritating but manageable condition.