Advice offered after suspected Scabies outbreak

Skin condition caused by a tiny mite which is smaller than a pinhead

Advice has been issued after reports of several cases of the skin condition scabies on the Island.

As it's not a notifiable disease the scale of the outbreak isn't clear but Public Health says it supports health care practitioners in the management of infections when informed of an outbreak in an institutional setting.

Scabies is a skin condition caused by a tiny mite which is smaller than a pinhead and invisible to the naked eye. 

The mites burrow under the skin and lay eggs causing a rash and spots. 

These can appear anywhere - most often on hands, between fingers and between toes; it can also be spread to genital areas by sexual contact.

It's not usually serious but does need to be treated. 

A variety of lotions and creams that kill the mites are available at your pharmacy or via your GP. 

If you think you or your child has scabies it's best to see your GP to be sure and, as spread within households is common, it's important to treat all family members in the house at the same time even if there are no symptoms.