British Association for Sexual Health and HIV National Guideline on the Management of Scabies in adults 2025.

What This Means

This research represents an updated clinical guideline from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) on how to diagnose and treat scabies in adults and teenagers (aged 13 and over) who attend sexual health clinics in the UK. Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin, and it can be transmitted through close physical contact, including sexual contact, making sexual health clinics an important setting for its diagnosis and management. The 2025 update revises previous recommendations to reflect the latest evidence on how to identify, treat, and follow up on scabies cases. This research suggests that healthcare providers working in sexual health services now have an updated, standardized framework for managing scabies, including clearer guidance on recognizing the condition's symptoms and distinguishing it from other skin conditions, as well as updated treatment protocols. The inclusion of follow-up recommendations is important because scabies can be difficult to eradicate and contacts of infected individuals often also need treatment to prevent reinfection. For people attending sexual health services, this guideline matters because it helps ensure that clinicians across the UK are using consistent, up-to-date approaches to diagnosing and treating scabies. This research suggests that standardized guidance can improve outcomes by reducing misdiagnosis and ensuring appropriate treatment is offered promptly to both patients and their close contacts.