I spent my teenage years at a boarding school, like many kids from my generation did. It was common for there to be outbreaks of lice, conjunctivitis and scabies. I always associated the latter to poor personal hygiene, and I was a such a clean young man that I never thought such a nuisance would ever touch me.

I woke up one morning itchy and started scratching. A few days later, the outbreak had spread all over my skin, except for my face and the front of my torso. It was unbearable and I had no choice but to go and see a dermatologist. I didn’t think for one moment what it could be.

The doctor took one quick look and gave their diagnosis: scabies.