Last updated: October 18, 2026. Scabies outbreaks are active in parts of the UK right now, including hospital wards and care settings in Wales. The facts below reflect official statements and news reports available at the time of writing. This guide is for information only — always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice for treatment.

Scabies Outbreak in the UK 2026: Symptoms, Treatment & Home Care

An itchy rash that gets worse at night, spreading through families and care homes — scabies is making headlines in the UK again this October. Wards in Wales have closed to visitors after outbreaks in health and care settings, and the NHS is reminding the public to seek treatment rather than suffer in silence. Here is a clear, practical guide: what scabies looks like, how it is treated, and how to stop it spreading at home.

Scabies in the UK right now: the situation

• Wales: Hywel Dda University Health Board has confirmed scabies cases in some health and care settings in Carmarthenshire. An outbreak at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli closed wards last month; most have reopened, with restrictions remaining on the Mynydd Mawr Rehabilitation Unit (reported October 8, 2026).
• Visitor plea: Anyone with an unexplained rash or itching has been asked not to visit hospital wards until they have sought advice and completed treatment.
• Going viral: UK news and social media are buzzing with scabies stories this month — from national press graphics to viral reels — as awareness campaigns push people to recognise the symptoms early.

What is scabies?

Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites — Sarcoptes scabiei — that burrow into the top layer of the skin to lay eggs. It is not a sign of poor hygiene; anyone can get it. It spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, which is why it moves easily between household members, sexual partners, and residents and staff in care homes. Quick contact like a handshake is not usually enough to catch it.

Scabies symptoms to watch for

Symptoms can take up to 8 weeks to appear after first exposure, which is why outbreaks spread quietly before anyone notices:

• Intense itching, especially at night — the hallmark symptom
• A raised rash or spots, typically between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, and around the waist, groin and bottom
• Burrow marks — thin, greyish or silvery wavy lines in the skin, a classic sign of mites
• Crusting or flaking skin in severe cases (crusted scabies), more common in elderly or immunocompromised people
• Sores from scratching, which can become infected with bacteria

In older adults the rash can look like dry skin or eczema, so diagnosis is often delayed in elderly patients — one reason care homes are outbreak hotspots.

How scabies is treated

The good news: scabies is very treatable. NHS guidance recommends:

• A prescribed cream or lotion — usually permethrin 5%, or malathion if permethrin is not suitable — applied to the entire body from the neck down, including under the fingernails and toenails
• Correct timing: leave the cream on for 8–12 hours (usually overnight) as directed, then wash off — and repeat the whole treatment after 7 days
• Treat everyone at once — all household members and close contacts must be treated at the same time, even if they have no symptoms
• Hot laundry: wash bedding, clothing and towels used in the last 3 days at 60°C or above, and tumble-dry hot or iron where possible

Normal for itching to linger: the itch can persist for 2–4 weeks after successful treatment as the dead mites and eggs clear from the skin. Your pharmacist can recommend creams to calm the itch. If itching continues beyond 4 weeks, get re-checked.

Stopping scabies spreading at home

• Whole household, one day: treat all close contacts on the same day so mites have nowhere to retreat
• No visitors for the first 24 hours after treatment begins, and avoid prolonged skin contact
• Do not share towels, bedding or clothing during treatment week
• Clean shared spaces — vacuum mattresses, sofas and carpets regularly during treatment
• Care home discipline: residents with suspected scabies should be cared for with gloves and gowns, and staff should follow the home's infection-control protocol for treating all close contacts
• School-age children can usually return after the first treatment application — check your local school or GP guidance

How home nursing helps with scabies care

Scabies treatment is simple but must be done thoroughly — and elderly or disabled patients often cannot manage it alone. This is where a trained home nurse makes the difference:

• Correct identification — a trained eye distinguishes scabies from eczema or dry skin, so treatment starts early
• Proper cream application — including under nails, in skin folds, and on hard-to-reach areas where mites hide
• Whole-household coordination — making sure every close contact is treated on the same day, breaking the re-infection cycle
• Skin monitoring — watching healing progress, spotting secondary infections from scratching, and arranging GP follow-up
• Care-home support — infection-control routines, staff guidance, and resident monitoring during outbreaks

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of scabies?

Intense itching, especially at night, plus a raised rash or spots — commonly between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, and around the waist, groin and bottom. Thin greyish burrow lines in the skin are a classic sign.

Is scabies dangerous?

Not usually — it is very treatable, but it needs prompt treatment. Scratching can cause skin infections. Elderly or immunocompromised people can develop crusted scabies, a more severe form that spreads more easily and needs a doctor's care.

How is scabies treated?

With a cream or lotion (usually permethrin 5%) applied to the whole body from the neck down, including under the nails, left on 8–12 hours and repeated after 7 days. Everyone in the household must be treated at the same time, even without symptoms.

Why does scabies spread in care homes?

It spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact. In care homes, close daily care routines combined with delayed diagnosis — the rash in elderly residents can look like eczema — allow mites to pass between residents and staff before anyone realises.

Can a home nurse help with scabies care?

Yes. A home nurse identifies scabies early, helps apply prescribed creams thoroughly, coordinates same-day treatment for all close contacts, monitors skin healing, and supports care homes with infection-control routines. WhatsApp +92 308 3688218 to arrange certified home nursing.