Home remedies for scabies. This is a condition which causes intense itching. Scabies is caused by a minute mite and it commonly affects children. However, it can also affect adults. Scabies can also affect dogs and then it is called mange.
What actually is Scabies ? It is a parasitic infection of the skin. A dangerous mite called Sarcoptic scabieie enters the skin and burrows deep. There it feeds on our tissues and lays eggs. In response, the skin starts to itch severely. There is rashes on skin and one can clearly see the mite trail as it moves into the skin, deeper. In people with immune system deficiency, scabies can progress to its severest form known as crusting scabies. The entire skin is crusted and damaged, sometimes leading to irreparable damages.
So, if you suspect scabies, act very quickly and quickly kick the parasite out.
( Photo Courtesy: monica_r )
Home remedies for scabies
This condition can be treated at home using natural treatment to some extent. The logic behind treatment involves three main therapeutic actions, which are the cornerstone of treatment. Without any one of them, this infection can reappear.
- Topical anti-itching agent to calm the awful itching. Its very severe and almost impossible not to itch if you let it be as it is .
- A natural insecticide to kill the scabies mite.
- Immune boosters to wake up your immune system. This is important as immune system needs to recognize this invasion and kill leftover mites and mop up their eggs an excrete them.
Anti - Itching Preparations For Scabies
1. Calendula oil
This essential oil of calendula can relieve the itching caused by the mites. Because of its efficacy in treating scabies, there are creams made from calendula oil. They are generally mixed with goldenseal, which is also a herb. Otherwise, a better idea would be to get your own calendula oil. Sprinkle some into bathwater and lie down in it.
Add a few drops ( 4 - 8 drops ) of calendula essential oil in 1 mug of water. Dilute it in bathwater and keep it warm. Bathe in this water. It feels very soothing on the itch.
If you know how to make salves, then you can make a calendula infused salve and apply this on skin to calm the itching.
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2. Aloe Vera
The gel from Aloe Vera is so soothing and calming, it almost feels like magic on itch. Apply the freshly cut leaf of Aloe Vera on scabies rashes to reduce itching. Refrigerate the leaf so that you can use it again.
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3. Turmeric and Lemon
Apply a paste of turmeric in lemon juice on the affected skin region. One should keep it on for a long period of time for the anti-inflammatory effect of turmeric to take action. This is also quite soothing on the itch, which is the most problematic symptom of scabies.
To kill the scabies mites
Scabies are not very resistant insects. They can be killed by applied external natural insecticides. These are some things which have been found to be effective against scabies.
4.Neem oil
Apply a thick coat of neem oil on the skin. It smells really bitter and awful. But, it kills the scabies mites. After some time, wash the oil off with warm water completely and look at the effects. Neem oil is obtained from neem tree which is common in India. It looks black and thick. This remedy seems to be an excellent remedy for scabies.
This oil can also be yellowish or brown, possible because of filtration. Try to get an organic neem oil product.
Neem oil is the most renowned natural organic insecticide. Its uses are mentioned in Ayurveda, the ancient medicinal system from India. It is effective against most common species of fly, ants, roaches and insects.
" Neem and neem oil containing things should not be used by people who are trying to conceive. "
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2. Sulfur containing cream ( 5 - 10 % )
This mineral is an important constituent of many creams that are used to cure this condition. One can use such creams after consulting with the doctor. There are some places on earth where the water or spring naturally has some sulfur content and it is good remedy for many
skin infections.
A 10 % sulfur cream is an effective remedy for scabies.
A surprising thing is that sulfur is useful for pregnant women and infants. But, you should verify this with a doctor. It is after all a kind of medicine and can have side effects.
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3. Cayenne pepper bath( It is really stinging hot but worth the trouble )
Cayenne pepper is one of the oldest herbal remedies for scabies. The burning sensation produced by cayenne pepper is not well tolerated by scabies mites and they die.
- Ingredients
Cayenne pepper powder
Water
Sprinkler
- Directions / How to use
First of all, clean your skin and pat dry. Now, add a few drops of water over scabies mite trails and rashes. Then sprinkle cayenne pepper with the sprinkler. This is to ensure that you do not overuse cayenne. Within a few seconds, you can start feeling a burning sensation. It should subside after a few minutes. Then wash it off with water. Make sure that cayenne pepper does not touch sensitive areas of skin.
You just need to withstand the heat for about 10 minutes and that should be enough to kill the scabies. Obviously it cannot kill all of the mites at once, so it should ideally be repeated in some hours, like 6 -8 hours on average.
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4. Clove oil
It
too has the power to kill scabies causing mites. Put a few drops of clove oil in a skin massage oil, like olive oil and apply it on the skin. Once the scabies causing agents are eliminated, the itching can go away slowly. A better carrier oil for this treatment is coconut oil because it has its own therapeutic effect. It penetrates deeper into the skin layers than most other layers and in this process, takes clove oil with it.
Did you know ? The oil of clove is touted as the most powerful antioxidant known to man with a super high ORAC value. It is a sharp, stingy and pungent oil with distinct smell of cloves.
It has insecticidal properties because of eugenol in it.
5. Apply onion juice and infusion of onion peels to the skin. This serves to soothe the skin from the continuous itching and discomfort. Onions are rich in anti inflammatory nutrients. They are also rich in sulfur and silicon.
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6. Tea Tree oil
It is quite effective against scabies. Tea tree oil can kill scabies mites as well their eggs.
- Ingredients
Tea tree essential oil
Coconut oil or grapeseed oil ( as carrier oil )
- Directions / How to use
Add 4 - 8 drops of tea tree oil in about 200 ml of carrier oil. Apply this oil regularly on scabies rashes.
- Why it works ?
Because of its mite killing ability.
7. Citronella oil
This wonderful oil is taken from a small plant known as lemongrass. It acts as a repellent of insects and thus helps in scabies. You can put just a few drops ( about 20 ) in your bathing water and take bath with it. This helps to absorb the lemon like scent of citronella which keeps new scabies mites and other such insects away.
8. Other things that help with scabies
There are chemicals like borax, bleach and hydrogen peroxide which people use for scabies, but frankly speaking, one should avoid these chemicals as they can be irritating for the skin.
One can make use or orange seed oil,
Supercharging the Immune System
It has been noted that scabies usually infects people who are immunocompromised in one way or another. These are generally people who have a naturally weak immune system, or it became weak because of medication or syndromes like HIV. These are the things that boost the immune system to help it fight back.
- Drink echinacea tea. It is a non specific immune booster.
- Drink olive leaf tea which is well noted immune booster.
- A herb by the biological name Tinosporia cordifolia is a supreme immune modulator. It has a profound impact on the immune system. You can discuss with a doctor about its positive effects vs the side effects. It is commonly known as Giloy in India.
- Berries have a mild impact on the immune system.
- Exercise daily and this includes mostly aerobics. This step keeps the blood flow healthier and improves overall well being.
- Avoid refined sugar as it lowers immune response for some hours.
At a Glance
| Turmeric |
Anti Inflammatory effect |
| Aloe Vera |
Calms and Soothes Skin |
| Sulphur |
Used in many infections |
| Clove Oil |
Kills Mites |
| Tea Tree Oil |
Repellent to mites |
In some people, scabies can become more prominent and start causing Norwegian scabies. In this condition, the whole skin crusts and there is peeling off at different places. One should not neglect scabies because prompt treatment can prevent further infestation.
One should however note that there is no home remedy which can guarantee complete eradication of scabies. For a bad case of scabies which is too much for the home remedies, one should visit a doctor. Treatments are quite effective, but it takes time to get rid of scabies. It can easily last a month.
It is important that every member of house is checked and treated for scabies as it is highly contagious. Go minimalist in your lifestyle and make sure scabies doesn't get any entrance into your body. Dispose off used clothes properly. Wash them separately and DO NOT forget to iron them. Clean the house thoroughly using vacuum and spay citronella oil all around your house.
It takes a lot of effort to ward off scabies mites, but it is important. Scabies can also be transferred to us through pets, so make sure they are treated as well.
