School kids develop ‘nightmare’ rashes in Victorian disease outbreak as cases surge by 73% – don’t ignore key signs

SCHOOL kids have developed “nightmare” rashes in an outbreak of a Victorian disease – with cases surging by 73 per cent.

Truro and Penwith College in Cornwall has warned parents after scabies was discovered on campus.

In an email seen by CornwallLive, the college said: “Scabies is infectious but it can take up to eight weeks for the rash to appear.

“If your child has or develops symptoms, that is an itchy rash that is worse at night or when they are hot, please see your GP.

“Let them know that they have been in contact with someone who has scabies.

“If they are diagnosed with scabies it is important that all members of the household are also treated at the same time.

“Regardless of whether they have any symptoms, they are close contact and are at risk of developing scabies.”

SCABIES ALERT

According to the HSE and the World Health Organisation, the symptoms of scabies include:

• Intense itching, especially at night
• A raised rash or spots
• Itchy lines (linear burrows) and bumps (papules) which can be found on the fingers, wrists, arms, legs and belt area
• Enflamed bumps can also be located on the male genitalia and female breasts
• The size in the rash on infants and small children is usually bigger on the palms, ankles, soles of the feet and scalp

The rash or spots may look red, and can appear anywhere, but it often starts between the fingers.

It usually spreads across the whole body, but not the head.

You may develop a rash on your head and neck if you:

• are an older person
• are a very young child
• have a weakened immune system

The HPSC said: “It usually starts with itching, which can affect the whole body, and can be worse at nighttime. A rash can also be present in affected areas of skin; it may be seen in skin folds, for example between fingers and toes.”

TREATMENT

Pharmacies can provide creams or lotions to apply over your entire body to treat scabies.

Everyone in the house must be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms, along with anyone you have had sexual contact with in the past 8 weeks.

The HPSC advises: “Following the first application of treatment, all clothing, bedding and towels should be washed in a minimum 50 degrees Celsius wash cycle or put in a tumble dryer for 30 minutes at a minimum of 50 degrees Celsius to destroy mites.

“Alternatively, items can also be sealed in a plastic bag for four days.

“These may include items which have been exposed to prolonged direct contact with the skin, for example shoes, coats, hats, soft toys and removable covers of child car seats and buggies.

“Other items, such as mattresses and car seats, which have had prolonged direct contact with skin can be vacuumed.”

You may go back to work or school 24 hours after the first treatment – though the treatment kills the mites quickly, the itching may last for a few weeks.

A second treatment is required a week later.

SEVERE MEDICINE SHORTAGE

However, currently there is a severe shortage of cream available, adding to the rise in cases and leaving medical professionals concerned.

North Dublin GP, Ray Walley said: “We’ve had shortages of some of the main treatments for years.

“The big concern is if scabies gets into care homes, where it can afflict vulnerable older residents.”

He added that the further rise in cases is “inevitable” as a result of treatment shortages.

Usual treatment for scabies is two applications of permethrin, or malathion as a second‐line treatment, applied one week apart.

However, permethrin is currently unavailable in its proprietary and generic forms, according to Dr Walley.

Malathion, sold under the Derbac trade name is currently on the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s medicine shortage list as being unavailable.

It had an expected return date of January 31, though Dr Walley said it has not been available “for years”.

A third option, benzyl benzoate, can be used when the two other treatments are unavailable, but Dr Walley noted that this is not available on the medical card.

Speaking about scabies, Dr Walley said: “It’s not about being dirty; you could get it from shaking hands with the driver of a Rolls Royce. It can affect any age group.”

He noted that scabies medications need to be added to the EU’s list of priority medicines.

You are advised to contact your GP if your skin is still itching 4 weeks after treatment has finished.

To stop scabies from spreading, the HSE advises:

• Wash all bedding and clothing on the first day of treatment – 50 degrees Celsius will kill the mites
• Put clothing that cannot be washed in a sealed bag for 3 days until the mites die
• Stop babies and children sucking treatment from their hands by putting socks or mittens on them
• Do not have sex or close physical contact with anyone until you have finished the full course of treatment
• Do not share bedding, clothing or towels with someone who has scabies

Though not usually serious, scabies can sometimes lead to complications.

Scratching the rash may cause skin infections including impetigo, and scabies can also make eczema or psoriasis worse.

If there are a lot of mites present, crusted scabies can form – a more serious conditions, but not common, that can affect older people and those with a lowered immune system.