The UK is seeing an unusual rise in scabies cases, leading health officials to warn the public to seek help if they notice “red dots or itchy rashes.” Scabies is caused by mites that spread through close skin contact and needs early treatment to stop further transmission.

Symptoms include intense nighttime itching and a rash of small red spots, often on the fingers, wrists, underarms, waist, groin, or buttocks. Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems may also develop symptoms on the head or neck. A severe form, “crusted scabies,” produces flaky, scaly rashes and is especially contagious.

According to the NHS, hospitals have diagnosed more than 3,600 cases, with GP reports now above the five-year average. Northern England has been hit hardest.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne of the RCGP said stigma around scabies makes people avoid doctors, which worsens infections and spreads mites.

A shortage of effective treatments is making the outbreak harder to control.