Background Scabies is a common parasitic skin condition that causes considerable morbidity globally. Clinical and epidemiological research for scabies have been limited by a lack of standardisation of diagnostic methods. Objectives We aimed to develop consensus criteria for the diagnosis of common scabies that could be implemented in a variety of settings. Methods Consensus diagnostic criteria were developed through a Delphi study of international experts. Detailed recommendations were collected from the expert panel to define the criteria features and guide their implementation. These comments were then combined with a comprehensive review of available literature and opinion of an expanded group of international experts to develop detailed, evidence‐based definitions and diagnostic methods. Results The 2020 IACS Consensus Criteria for the Diagnosis of Scabies include three levels of diagnostic certainty and eight subcategories. Confirmed Scabies (Level A) requires direct visualisation of the mite or its products. Clinical Scabies (Level B) and Suspected Scabies (Level C) rely on clinical assessment of signs and symptoms. Evidence‐based, consensus methods for microscopy, visualisation and clinical symptoms and signs were developed, along with a media library. Conclusions The 2020 IACS Criteria represent a pragmatic, yet robust set of diagnostic features and methods. The criteria may be implemented in a range of research, public health and clinical settings by selecting the appropriate diagnostic levels and subcategories. These criteria may provide greater consistency and standardisation for scabies diagnoses. Validation studies and development of training materials and development of survey methods are now required.

Scabies is a common skin infestation globally, particularly in the developing world. With the launch of the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) in 2012, this review aims to present the recent evidence of the current epidemiological situation for scabies across the globe. Mindful of the fact that the downstream complications of scabies infestations, pyoderma, streptococcal glomerulonephritis and subsequent chronic renal impairment and rheumatic fever, have been recognized as being more significant to global health than previously acknowledged, the review focusses also on the epidemiological evidence from developing countries. Scabies occurrence rates vary in the recent literature from 2.71 per 1000 to 46%. Although it is responsible for larger disease burdens and complications such as pyoderma and renal and heart disease in the tropics, scabies outbreaks in the developed world amongst vulnerable communities and health institutions contribute a significant cost to the health services managing them. Scabies remains common across the world, but is such a health issue in the developing world that the suggestion that it be considered a neglected tropical disease is a pertinent one. Standardized diagnostic criteria and even a point-of-care diagnostic test would be a major contribution to the understanding of this epidemic.

Scabies is one of the most common disorders identified in any estimate of global skin disease prevalence. Furthermore, quantifying its impact on individuals and societies has been problematic. There has been a lack of clear case definitions and laboratory tests. There have been few epidemiological studies, particularly those focusing on low‐income countries, variation in prevalence within high‐income countries, or estimates of the effect of scabies on health beyond the skin, such as renal disease or mental well‐being. Economic studies are also lacking. However, the new strategy of integrating surveillance for skin Neglected Tropical Diseases (skin NTDs) may well produce advances on these issues, as well as provide an overarching structure for health improvement and disease control.

Summary: Objective  To develop and test a robust clinical staging system for podoconiosis, a geochemical disease in individuals exposed to red clay soil.Methods  We adapted the Dreyer system for staging filarial lymphoedema and tested it in four re‐iterative field tests conducted in an area of high‐podoconiosis prevalence in Southern Ethiopia. The system has five stages according to proximal spread of disease and presence of dermal nodules, ridges and bands. We measured the 1‐week repeatability and the inter‐observer agreement of the final staging system.Results  The five‐stage system is readily understood by community workers with little health training. Kappa for 1‐week repeatability was 0.88 (95% CI 0.80–0.96), for agreement between health professionals was 0.71 (95% CI 0.60–0.82), while that between health professionals and community podoconiosis agents without formal health training averaged 0.64 (95% CI 0.52–0.78).Conclusions  This simple staging system with good inter‐observer agreement and repeatability can assist in the management and further study of podoconiosis.

The aim of this review is to update the latest epidemiological situation in Europe, explore recent issues in recognition and emerging opportunities in diagnosis and look at progressions in treatment. Papers reviewed have, in the main, been published within the last 2 years. The predominantly responsible organism varies with country. Trichophyton tonsurans accounts for 50-90% of cases in the UK, Microsporum canis is commonest in Central and Southern Europe and T. violaceum in Greece and Belgium. Confirming the diagnosis of tinea capitis is best undertaken with more than one sampling method to include scraping of scalp, and either scalp massage brush, toothbrush, moistened cotton gauze swab or cytobrush to increase sensitivity. Advances in the speed of species identification is offered by the novel PCR-based detection/identification scheme, and although not yet commercially available, with potential turnaround times of <24 h this will offer a significant advance in the speed of diagnosis, allowing treatment to be organism tailored. Although griseofulvin remains the only licensed treatment in the UK and a meta-analysis confirms it is effective against the major tinea capitis pathogens, a new granule formulation of terbinafine has been shown to be more effective against T. tonsurans. With the evolving organism profile across Europe, obtaining an accurate diagnosis and species identification is crucial. Using more than one sampling method followed by rapid species identification techniques will facilitate this. Although there are no changes in specific product license to include children, the production of a child-friendly formulation of terbinafine will contribute to improved compliance.