Scabies or the human itch mite can be a horror for anyone. Scabies can be transmitted from person to person by contact. In some cases, you can even get infected by bed linen or by sharing clothes. The mite is transferred to your skin and starts laying eggs once your skin comes in contact with a person suffering from scabies. This leads to rashes combined with severe itching at the infected place.
Scabies is a contagious, parasitic skin infection caused by a tiny mite. When a human comes in contact with a female mite, it lays eggs on the skin surface. After the production of offsprings, red lesions are formed on the skin, which results in intense itching.
Home Remedies for Scabies
Here are some remedies which help in controlling the condition –
- Cold soaks are highly effective in stopping the itching. Various types of pain relievers can also be applied, like calamine lotion or an antihistamine
- Apricot juice can be very effective. You can rub the juice many times a day on the affected area
- You can also use the extracts of the jojoba plant to make effective treatment of scabies
- Fossil shell dust is also often recommended as being highly effective to kill the mites as well as their eggs
- Applying the paste made out of Margosa(Neem) leaves can also heal the rash and provide relief in itching. Ensure that you keep applying the paste for a week after the infection so that it dies down completely. To make the paste, mix Neem leaves and turmeric powder in equal quantities
- Like Margosa(Neem), Sacred Fig(Peepul) tree can also be used as an effective ingredient in home remedies for scabies. All you need is to apply powdered dried bark of the tree on the infected area
- Drumstick leaves can be used as well. All you have to do is extract the juice of these leaves and mix it with water and sesame seed oil. You can keep this mixture for days and regularly apply
- Herbal paste – The paste of neem leaves and turmeric has been found very effective in treating this condition. Take 1 part of neem, 1 part of turmeric, and eight gram flour and mustard oil parts. Mix them thoroughly to prepare a paste. Apply this paste daily to the affected region. This homemade herbal paste is the best treatment for scabies and other skin problems
- Wash the affected body areas with hot water in which neem leaves have been boiled. Use neem soap for bathing
- Take fresh and tender neem leaves and ground them to make a paste. Make small pills from this paste and eat a pill twice a day
- All the person’s clothes affected with scabies should be kept separate and washed in boiling water. Hygiene should be maintained properly
All these home remedies, along with proper cleanliness, will surely help you get rid of scabies for good.
It is important to note that scabies is contagious and spreads through skin contact, sharing clothing or bedclothes, etc. Here are the symptoms of scabies. If you see any of these on your skin or on that of your children, do not neglect them.
Symptoms of Scabies
Below are some of the top scabies symptoms –
- Itching at the infected area is one of the most prominent symptoms. However, not many know that this happens two weeks after you have been infected by it. It is seen that this itching gets worse once you go to bed
- The development of a rash on the affected area is also another symptom. You can expect to see a red rash that usually occurs on the genitals, elbows, wrists, around the waist, and between the fingers.
- There can also appear pencil-like gray marks on your skin
- The itching is often only necked down in the case of adults
Once you have determined that you or someone near you is suffering from scabies, you should immediately stop sharing clothes, toilet, or linen with the patient. This will make sure that no one else is infected, as well as the patient heals quickly.
Few more things you should keep in mind are
- Keep a high level of hygiene. Bathe daily and make sure that you dry up moisture from your body with a towel before wearing clothes. The sauna can also be highly effective
- Wash clothes often, including the towels and other utilities. Washing clothes in hot water ensures that the mites are killed
- Change of clothes 1 to 2 times a day is highly recommended for patients suffering from scabies.
- You should also make sure your partner or spouse knows about your condition, and you maintain a little distance till the infection is healed
- Avoid sharing any clothes, combs, or even footwear.
- Vacuum the floor when you suspect that the infection is in the house. This will help in stopping it from spreading
- Try including more fluids in your diet. Natural juices are the best option.
Let us look at some of the top methods using which you could prevent the infection from catching you in the first place.
Scabies Prevention – How to Prevent Scabies
- As you know prevention is the best cure. You can prevent scabies with some simple steps
- Maintaining good hygiene is must
- Wash all your clothes in hot water, if some body is affected in your home
- Regularly trim your nails
- Avoid skin contact with the affected person
4 Comments
My husband and I have been suffering from this for some time. It began several months ago after a visit to see a sick relative. After endless nights of itching I receive a phone call from said relative that we may have scabies as that is what the Dr. said was at the root of his problem. If anyone knows of a safe home remedy please share. Thanks So Much Cheryl Curl
Me and my husband both have scabies and it is really a problem. I am not sure where he gets this and every time transmits it to me. I am fed up with the medications and ointments. Scabies can be a horror in the married life.
Some of the other remedies that is time tested are –
– Finely ground bark of Sacred Fig tree can be applied on the lesions.
– A paste of Margosa leaves mixed with turmeric and mustard oil can be applied on the body and left for an hour and then be washed off.
– Juice of drumstick leaves mixed with sesame oil has strong insecticidal and microbial properties.
I have heard sulfur and lard mixed together is a cure do this for 3 straight days from neck to feet