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.
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"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 , 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.
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.”
- 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.
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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.
What are the symptoms of scabies?
- intense itching, especially at night
- a raised rash or spots
The spots may look red.
They are more difficult to see on dark skin, but you should be able to feel them.
A scabies rash (collection of spots) usually spreads across the whole body, apart from the head.
However, older people, young children and those with a weakened immune system may develop a rash on their head and neck.
Source: NHS