Crossword Genius

Insects scratching head, leading to disease (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rickets

'disease' is the definition.
(rickets is a kind of health problem)

'insects scratching head' is the wordplay.
'insects' becomes 'crickets' (cricket is a kind of insect).
'scratching head' means to remove the first letter (the word\'s head is removed).
'crickets' with its initial letter taken away is 'RICKETS'.

'leading to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for rickets that I've seen before include "Children's disease" , "Childhood disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin D" , "Bone-distorting disease" , "Bone disease, caused by vitamin D deficiency" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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