Rise in scabies infection cases in Leeds revealed from 2023 amid national shortage of medication

The council’s health protection team secured extra supplies of skin cream to treat the condition and raised awareness of how to prevent transmission.

The city’s annual Health Protection Board Report said there was a national shortage of Permethrin as the infection was circulating.

The medication was included in the city’s Pharmacy First scheme and made available to people not registered with a GP.

The report said: “A bespoke leaflet was designed about scabies, how to reduce transmission and how to apply Permethrin treatment cream.

“Leeds Community Healthcare’s Infection Prevention Control team supported the development of training for the local workforce to raise awareness of scabies and how to direct people to treatment and support.”

Scabies is a common, itchy skin rash caused by tiny mites called sarcoptes scabiei. It is usually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, and more rarely from sharing bedding, clothing or towels.

The report said families affected by the rise in cases during 2023 were provided with cleaning kits and extra bedding.

It said: “Those identified with scabies in this area were living with high levels of multiple deprivation which presented additional complexities for the managing the infection.”

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A lack of public awareness of scabies, the cost of prescriptions and low levels of GP-registration were among challenges for health workers.

Some households did not have access to washing machines and cleaning products.

The report added: “A training workshop was delivered to 51 local professionals and community champions to provide support to families, including information on where to access treatment and answer any questions.”