Scabies is a genuinely unpleasant skin disease which has some nasty symptoms that will make people wish they have never met it. Not to mention that this skin infestation is extremely contagious. People can get it if they go to a crowded area, or their child can get it from the kindergarten. Any direct skin-to-skin contact may cause it, and this is why everybody is searching for home remedies for scabies.
Causes And Symptoms
The main cause of this skin condition is the itch mite, Sarcoptes Scabiei which has a long life for a mite, approximately 30 days if it stays on our skin and, even more, disgusting than that, it burrows into the skin. Just like in mosquitoes, the bites are caused by female parasites. Male mites are quite harmless; they don’t want to deal with humans. The bad thing about this fact is that the females begin to deposit eggs under the skin and if we don’t treat ourselves it is possible that the disease spreads to other parts of the body. It is hard sometimes to diagnose this condition because the eggs are so small that people can only see them with a microscope.
Scabies symptoms are itching, redness, high pain, swelling, rashes, and blisters. It affects one or more of the following areas: buttocks, soles of the feet, shoulder blades, knees, under the breasts, near the elbows, between the fingers, genital area, and armpits. It spreads quickly from person to person through skin contact or sexual act or if you use personal items from an individual who is already infected.
14 Natural Home Remedies For Scabies And Advices
Usually, it takes around two or three weeks to get rid of scabies. It is possible that the treatment won’t work for the first time, and you will need to reapply it. You can treat yourself with conventional drugs proved to be effective, but as you probably know these conventional drugs may have some side effects. You can try the next home remedies for scabies instead which are equally efficient and won’t affect you in any other way.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is well known as a natural antibacterial and disinfectant agent. It is very efficient in keeping a lot of insects and parasites away, including the itch mite. Tea tree oil compound, terpinen-4-ol, is the main ingredient which helps fight scabies. It also has an antibacterial effect and fights against inflammation in the body thus relieving any symptoms due to the rashes and irritation. To apply the tea tree oil as home remedy for scabies, you will need:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoon tea tree oil
What to do next?
- Mix the two oils and soak a clean cotton cloth or pad in this solution.
- Gently apply on the irritated and itchy area two times a day.
- Continue with the treatment for at least 14 days, until the rash is gone and you experience no more discomfort.
- After a few days, you will notice that the symptoms are less bothering, and you will feel better.
Caution: do not use this tea tree oil home remedy for scabies if you are pregnant or nursing your baby. It is better to test tea tree oil on a small area of your skin to see if you are not allergic or get any irritation.
2. Turmeric
While it is not necessarily common to prepare homemade creams for scabies, you may try to do this because including turmeric in remedies against these parasites is very useful. Turmeric has antibacterial and antifungal properties thus relieving the discomfort and healing the affected area.
Turmeric and neem oil are extremely efficient against all kind of parasites and will soothe the itching and inflammation. The cream may not smell as good (neem oil has a pungent odor), but in combination with lemon juice and tea tree oil, it becomes bearable. And the best thing is that you will feel better after you apply it on the skin. However, keep in mind that turmeric may leave stains on your clothes. To prepare this turmeric recipe for scabies, you will need:
- 1 oz. coconut oil
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- 2 oz. neem oil
- 1 oz. ground turmeric
- 8-10 drops tea tree oil
How to do this?
- Mix the coconut oil, lemon juice, neem oil, turmeric and tea tree oil until you get a semi-solid cream.
- Gently apply on the irritated spots up to three times a day.
- If you want to rinse it, let the cream act at least 25 minutes.
- There is no need to wash; it doesn’t have any side effects.
3. Neem Oil And Leaves
Neem, “the pharmacy tree”, is called like this because it has some extraordinary properties that can help us remain healthy. It is especially useful in fighting against bacteria and fungi, including the itch mite. As said before, the strong odor of neem oil will keep the parasites away, and they won’t be able to reproduce anymore. Once they’re dead, it will be easier for you to get rid of scabies fast.
3.1. Neem Oil
Directions:
One way of using neem oil is to rub it simply onto the affected area. Use gentle moves and let the oil penetrate the skin. Let it act for 5-6 minutes, and then rinse it with warm water. You should apply it every day for 2-3 weeks. Neem oil will prevent the parasites migrate to another area of the body.
3.2. Neem Leaves
Directions:
Besides neem oil, you may also use neem leaves to treat scabies. It will alleviate the itching sensation and will kill the parasites. You can crush some neem leaves and apply them directly to the infected skin. After they dry out, take a shower. Repeat daily until the infection is gone.
4. Clove Oil
Clove oil can fight against the itch mite because of its anti-inflammatory, antifungal and analgesic properties. It acts like a poison that kills the parasites and the eggs. To use clove oil for scabies you will need to:
Add a tablespoon of clove oil to a ½ cup of olive or almond oil. As it can be irritating, this oil should be diluted appropriately. You may also perform a simple test by applying a few drops on a small area of your skin to see if you tolerate this cure. If so, apply the mixture on the affected areas to soothe the itching and prevent the infection from spreading.
5. Rosemary Oil
Using essential oils for scabies is a common practice since these concentrated extracts are extremely efficient against many kinds of bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Rosemary essential oil, in particular, works well on killing the mites and speeding the healing of the blisters. Some people may experience a very intense itching sensation so they cannot refrain from scratching. In these cases, it is possible that the skin breaks and it is likely to get an infection. Rosemary oil can prevent this from happening. You will need 1 cup of castor oil and ¼ oz of rosemary essential oil. Combine the two ingredients and gently apply to the irritated areas.
6. Anise Seed Oil
Anise oil is amongst the essential oils that can be used to treat scabies. It has insecticidal properties and will help you get rid of this bothering skin condition.You can apply anise seed oil directly on the affected skin but do the test first to see if you tolerate this essential oil.
Caution: Don’t use anise in pregnancy because it may even lead to abortion.
7. Go For A Sulfur Soap
Sulfur is well known since ancient times, and it is a reputed cure for scabies. It is very efficient in killing adult parasites. You should follow a sulfur treatment for 2-3 weeks to get rid of the infection. Most of the conventional soaps and creams contain 6-10% sulfur, but you may find a larger percent if you ask a pharmacist for a particular product.
One inconvenient could be the fact that sulfur dries the skin, but it will get better once the mites are gone.
8. Use Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a great ingredient, with many beautiful properties, but it doesn’t have any insecticidal effect. Therefore it cannot help you get rid of mites, but it can kill them by suppressing the oxygen intake. How to do this? Coat the affected areas in a thick layer of coconut oil. The mites and eggs will suffocate because they won’t get any more oxygen.
Coconut oil should be used together with other natural remedies for scabies to relieve the itching and pain. It is possible to apply coconut oil only if you are at home because it is greasy and may leave stains on all your clothes.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
Mites can survive only in certain conditions on human skin. The acetic acid contained by apple cider vinegar can change the pH of the skin. In this case, the mites will die. And their eggs will also die, and you will get rid of scabies once and for all. To get rid of scabies using apple cider vinegar you will need:
- 1 part water
- 1 part apple cider vinegar
Directions:
- Combine the two ingredients and mix well.
- Soak a cotton ball or a clean cotton cloth in the solution and place it on the irritated skin.
- Let the mixture act for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Continue with this process three times a day for two weeks to eradicate the infection completely.
10. Lavender Essential Oil
Do you know the magical scent that enchants you when you walk through a lavender field? Would you like to smell it on your skin? Even when you suffer from an unpleasant condition such as scabies, lavender can be of great relief. Aromatherapy uses lavender essential oil for relaxation, but it also has and antibacterial effect. It can kill the mites and also help the skin regenerate faster.
To use lavender essential oil to get rid of scabies you will need to prepare a mixture out of rubbing alcohol and lavender essential oil. Gently apply the solution on the itching skin and massage with circular moves, so the mixture is absorbed. This natural remedy for scabies will kill all the parasites together with their eggs. Apply two times a day until the skin is healed.
11. Aloe Vera
You probably already heard a lot about aloe vera and its unusual properties. This miraculous plant does a lot of things for our skin, like healing sunburns, bruises, scratches, speeds up the healing in all those cases. In addition to that, it has an antimicrobial effect and also heals insect bites and helps the skin regenerate in the event of scabies infection.
The first way of using this remedy is to apply fresh aloe vera gel simply to the affected area. It will act in about 30 minutes. Rinse it with warm water after the time is gone. You may repeat up to three times each day to get a huge relief.
Or prepare a lotion.
You will need:
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 2 handfuls dried calendula flowers
Directions:
- Grind the dried herbs and add the turmeric powder.
- Stir well.
- Add the aloe vera gel and mix until you get a paste.
- Apply on the itching spots and let the mixture dry on its own.
- Use this home remedy for scabies two times a day for 3-4 weeks. Do not quit earlier; it will help you heal completely.
12. Make Use Of Bleach
Bleach is not only used for laundry, but for scabies too. Folk is saying that this home remedy can kill adult parasites. To use bleach to get rid of scabies you need:
- 4 parts of water
- 1 part of bleach
Directions:
Combine these ingredients in a spray recipient. Shake well and apply two times daily for 3-4 days. Don’t use this remedy for a longer period as it can dry the skin.
13. Zinc For Scabies
Zinc cannot treat scabies in a direct way, but it is a great addition because it has antifungal properties and combats skin conditions. You can prepare a homemade cream for scabies using zinc, and you need:
- 2 zinc tablets, ground
- Some water
- ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients to get a paste.
- Apply this cream to the sore spots and let it act for 30-60 minutes. Wash with warm water to remove it.
- Use this cure every day until you get rid of this condition.
14. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a spice which has a burning effect on mites, too. It will kill them and their eggs, helping you to get rid of scabies fast. This is how you may use cayenne pepper as scabies remedy:
Fill your bathtub with water, as hot as you can bear. Add one cup of cayenne pepper and stir well. Bathe until the water gets cold. Be careful not to let water get into your eyes as it is very irritating. Rinse with lukewarm water. Take this bath every day if you want to cure scabies.
Caution: don’t use this home remedy if you have sensitive skin.
Elimite Drug For Scabies: -Facts
Elimite is one conventional drug and all doctors prescribe it. It contains permethrin, a scabicide compound, that kills the mites and eggs. Just like with all the standard drugs, using Elimite for scabies may have some side effects. The producers advise you to use caution and talk to your doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It also may interact with other medicines, or you may be allergic to permethrin.
It is advisable not to use any drug unless a specialist prescribed it and to pay attention to any weird symptoms that may occur during the treatment.
7 Pieces Of Advice If You Have Scabies
Beside all remedies presented above, people also must adhere to next daily habits and tips:
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Who Should Follow A Scabies Treatment?
All the family members and any other persons you come in contact to very often should follow a scabies treatment. Otherwise, you will face the risk of reinfection. You should also treat your pets if you have any. Usually, the parasites contacted by animals don’t stay on the human skin, but scabies from humans can migrate to the pets. Go to a veterinarian to prescribe a scabies treatment for your animal.
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Infected Area Advice
It would be better if you could stay in only one room, to keep the infected area to a minimum. If you touch everything in the house, you will need to disinfect a lot of places after the infection is gone. If you are facing a situation when you can’t wash your clothes and bedding right away, it would be best to throw them in a resealable plastic bag to prevent the mites from spreading.
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Clean The House Thoroughly
Vacuum everything, including the furniture and throw away the vacuum bag. You may use borax powder in your steam cleaner for a better effect.
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Clothes Advice
Wash the clothes, the bedding and anything that touched your skin. Use a higher temperature on your washing machine to kill any mites that may be present. After that, set the dryer to the hottest level.
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Scratch Advice
If the itching sensation is very intense, don’t scratch. It will only make you feel worse. You cannot kill the mites with this action, so the problem doesn’t disappear. By doing this, you help the mites migrate to other parts of your body, spreading the infection.
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Diet Changes
Make sure you eat a healthy diet. To be ready to fight with any disease, your body needs nourishing “fuel” to function properly. Go for foods like berries, leafy greens, coconut oil, walnuts, salmon, beets and other anti-inflammatory stuff which will help relieve the symptoms of your condition. A great addition to your diet would be bone broth which has tremendous benefits for the entire body and immune system.
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Stress Advice
When you are stressed, you feel any discomfort more intense. It may mean that you will feel the urge of scratching thus leading to a skin infection. You get rid of stress and the scabies will get rid of you too. There are plenty of things you can do: go for a long walk in the park or the mountains, breathe deeply, practice some yoga postures, sing, dance, do anything that makes you feel better.
All these are natural home remedies and pieces of advice for scabies you can use right away. They have a mild action and can get help you get rid of it naturally. If you use some of the home remedies above, but you don’t see any improvement in two weeks, seek professional help.
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