In dogs, for example, a scabies infestation is called mange. The mites can’t jump or fly. But once they land on a new victim, they can crawl at 2.5cm a minute to hunt down a hiding spot.

At first, her GP failed to diagnose Courtney with scabies, instead telling her the cause of the rash was likely her washing powder or even an allergic reaction to her dog. 'It was really starting ...

Scabies occurs when tiny parasitic mites called Sarcoptes scabiei burrow into the upper layer of skin, triggering an intense allergic reaction that causes severe itching and a distinctive rash.