Doctors issue warning to treat scabies more seriously
Medical experts are calling for scabies to be treated as a serious public health issue rather than a minor skin condition. Research indicates that untreated scabies can lead to severe complications, including rheumatic fever and heart disease.
Why it matters
Increased awareness and funding for scabies treatment could prevent long-term health complications in vulnerable populations.
It is time to stop treating scabies as a minor skin condition and recognise it can lead to serious conditions like rheumatic fever and heart disease , warn experts.
A group of medical professionals want the government to increase funding for screening, diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Highly infectious scabies is caused by a parasitic mite that burrows into human skin to lay its eggs.
Symptoms can include intense itching - that worsens at night - and a pimple-like or bumpy rash; and thin, raised, wavy burrows under the skin.
A Marlborough woman - who RNZ has agreed not to identify - said it had made life unbearable for her daughters.
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