Scabies is a horrid skin disease caused by tiny mite known as itch mites which burrow beneath the skin where they lay their eggs. They are usually fairly specific about which parts of the body they infest i.e. around the waist, back of elbows, genitals, feet etc.
Scabies Mite
The main symptoms caused by scabies is a rash with angry looking red bumps or or blisters but the worst symptom of scabies has to be the unbearable itching which tends to become even more intense at night.
Scabies are highly infectious and therefore require urgent treatment not only for the victim but for everyone who may have had close skin to skin contact with them – it can take up to eight weeks for symptoms to appear during which time the person is still contagious.
Your doctor will prescribe a topical cream and possibly an oral medication should it be required however scabies are showing signs of becoming resistant to such medications and in some cases the treatment may prove to be ineffective.
As with many medical conditions more and more people are looking to home scabies treatment using natural products – in this case natural insecticides to kill the itch mites.
Home Scabies Treatment To Kill Itch Mites:
It is safe to say that probably the two most commonly used home treatments for scabies involve the use of neem oil/leaves and tea tree oil.
Of the two, neem oil or neem leaves are probably the most widely used. To use the leaves, make a paste which can then be spread over the affected areas of skin. Using neem oil is probably less hassle, simply apply directly to the skin. In both cases leave the treatment on the skin for approximately one hour.
Tea tree oil is used in the same way – it has a slight disadvantage in that it is not as strong as neem.
The main requirement when using these home scabies treatments is diligence. Treatment must be applied EVERY DAY until you are free from scabies mites.
Home Scabies Treatment To Reduce Itching:
As I stated previously probably the worst symptom of scabies is the incessant itching which becomes even worse at night.
With any scabies treatment natural or conventional it will possibly take around two weeks before symptoms disappear and you are free from itch mites. Therefore you will also need some kind of treatment to deal with the itch. You could use some “over the counter” treatments such as Calamine lotion or oral antihistamines but if you want to keep to natural home scabies treatments here are a few tried and tested suggestions.
Oatmeal has natural anti-inflammatory properties, it will sooth the itch if added to a warm bath.
Oatmeal
Secondly, you could try a solution of vinegar and water in a 50:50 ratio. This can be applied to the skin as often as necessary to calm your itching (even if it is a bit smelly!) Lastly, another smelly itch treatment – use a peeled garlic clove to rub over the affected areas of skin the oil will help reduce itching.
It has to be said the worst thing you can do is SCRATCH – this can cause a bacterial skin infection which may then leave you no option but to seek medical treatment.
Home Scabies Treatment For Your Property:
Getting rid of itch mites from you skin may be your number one priority but if you do not get rid of any who may survive for a short time on disregarded clothing, bedding and soft furnishing and furniture etc. there is a significant chance that you could become reinfected.
So, what do you do?
Launder clothing, Bedding And Towels Daily
It is common sense really, launder all clothing, towels and bedding on a daily basis at as high a temperature as fabrics will allow. Items which cannot be laundered should be steam cleaned or placed in sealed plastic bags for around two weeks.
Vacuum everything daily carpets, sofas, chairs, and any other soft furnishings (make sure you dispose of your vacuums contents immediately in seal plastic bags.) If you can, get a steam cleaner and use it on mattresses, soft furnishings, carpets, curtains, hard wood floors, EVERYWHERE! This will kill itch mites from eggs to adults.
Use the steam cleaner as often as possible but certainly a minimum of once per week until the household is free from scabies.
N.B. Do not allow family members to share clothing, towels or bedding and it is a good idea for the infected person cover up with long sleeves and full length trousers. This too will reduce the chances of the infection spreading to new hosts or re-infection.
