How To Get Rid Of Scabies Naturally?

Have you ever needed to know how to get rid of scabies naturally? Well, even if you didn`t, this type of information may be needed in life at some point, so it`s best to stay well informed.

What Is Scabies?

Scabies is a medical condition caused by a strong itchy feeling which is caused small mites that are hosted in the skin, an itch which is in fact an allergic reaction.

Scabies, also known as the seven-year itch, is a specifically contagious skin disorder that is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabie. These parasites has very small sizes, respectively 1/3 mm (visible at microscope or magnifying glass), they have 8 legs (most insects usually have 6 legs) and bury in the skin causing an intense itching, which often gets worse at night. – Read this!

You should know that these parasites that infest people are females (males have half the size of females). They produce some very small tunnels where they lay their eggs (these hatch in 3 or 4 days, and the larvae then make their own way to the skin`s surface where they become mature and they are able to spread to different regions of the body or even different people). They aren`t able to jump or fly, that`s why the transmission of these mites is only made by close contact.

At temperatures smaller than 20° C, they become immobile, although they are able to survive long periods of time in such a climate. Infestation with scabies is present worldwide, having an estimation of 300.000.000 cases occurred every year. Human scabies are documented 2.500 years ago and occurs in epidemics especially when it comes to hospitals, nursing homes or other similar institutions (generally speaking, in certain communities).

Causes

Scabies is caused by an itch mite (sarcoptic scabiei), a parasitic arthropod which is digging into skin and leads to scabies. The mites are drawn by heat and the smell of the human body. Female mites penetrate the skin, digging small tunnels like tiny threads, which sometimes are visible. Parasites lay their eggs into these tunnels. – More info!

Mode of Transmission

As already mentioned above, scabies is generally transmitted through close contact, like sleeping in the same bed or touching a person with scabies. Scabies mites cannot fly or jump, as they move very slowly. The mites can live up to 4 days without a human host. During this time, they can spread to other people through clothes, bedding or other household items.

Sarcoptic scabies penetrates beneath the skin very fast, especially in rough areas or skin wrinkled like elbows, knuckles and knees. Touching and scratching areas infested with scabies may spread the disease in other areas of the body. A female mite deposits between 10 and 25 eggs after penetrating under the skin before dying. The eggs turn into larvae 3 days later. These larvae move on the surface of the skin and become adults in 14 to 17 days. This cycle continues until the mites are killed.

Sarcoptic scabies is only infesting humans, not dogs or other animals. Similarly, scabies mites transmitted from animals don`t survive and don`t reproduce in humans. However, they may live long enough to humans to cause itchy rashes (allergies which cause itchy or papules occurs within days).

Incubation Period & Infectiousness

Scabies is contagious. People with scabies may transmit parasites to others, before as well as after the onset of symptoms, as long as they remain infected and untreated. After the first infestation, it must pass several weeks before showing the first symptoms. The patient is contagious during this period, which is known as the incubation period. There may pass 2 or 3 days until developing the symptoms when a new infestation with sarcoptic scabies occurs.

Symptoms

When scabies is concerned, the patient shows an itchy and irritated skin, the signs intensifying until the parasites are killed. The itching usually begins first and it often becomes more pronounced during the night or after bath, and sometimes is confused with dry skin. The itching is caused by the allergic reaction against the scabies mite. Sometimes the itching is very intense, especially in children or old people.

Irritated Skin – has the aspect of a rash, and at the site of a sensitive skin, it can be observed some small traces. These symptoms occur as a result of digging by mites under the upper layers of the skin. Sometimes, it can be noticed a small blister or even the actual parasite, which looks like a small black dot at the end of the lesion. These traces can be tough to see after the area was scratched. Infants may show only red, inflamed skin, sometimes with small painful blisters.

Symptoms are most likely to develop:

• Between the fingers.
• On the outside of the elbow.
• Around the waist and umbilicus.
• On the buttocks.
• Around the nipples, bra line, on the sides of the breasts.
• On the genitals (in men).

In infants and toddlers, itchy and irritated skin may also appear:

• Around the scalp, neck or face.
• On palms or soles.

Often, the first symptom noticed in infants is represented by some small vesicles around these areas.

Diagnosis

So, the main signs of scabies include persistent itching. The doctor may offer a certain diagnosis if he chooses to use a skin test (he scrapes a small portion of skin over a tunnel made by these mites and examines the sample at microscope, identifying pellets, parasites and eggs). This specific test is most of the times difficult (the tunnels are tough to be found because of the scratches). If the characteristics signs are present, some doctors may recommend specific treatment without testing. There`s also the possibility of making the chain polymerization reaction to identify genetic material of parasites if diagnosis becomes difficult to perform and/or skin biopsy when other skin-related conditions are suspected to be present.

How to Get Rid of Scabies Naturally?

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper offer benefits to those who have scabies due to the fact that it can be used to relieve pain associated with this infestation. It`s already known that cayenne contains capsaicin, which is a chemical substance that will reduce sensations of pain when it`s applied on the skin`s surface. Capsaicin can alleviate itching by simply desensitizing the skin`s neurons as well. Still, there`s a study which found that it may cause a sensation of burning which 30% of all patients experience when using this chemical topically. – Click for more!

There are also various claims that if cayenne pepper is applied on the skin`s surface, it can destroy the mites that lead to scabies. Although there`s no research to back up all these claims, there are lots of people who attested to the ability of cayenne to destroy these parasites.

Clove Oil

Clove oil has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial properties. It can be generally used to get rid of rashes and blisters.

There`s a study made in 2010 that tested this type of oil and its ability to treat scabies. The mites were harvested from rabbits and pigs. Results showed that this oil was very toxic for these mites, destroying them in about 1 hour from contact. Eugenol, an important component of clove oil, demonstrated toxic levels comparable with benzyl benzoate. Mix 10 drops of such oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of honey for skin relief. Use the mixture to rub it on the affected area!

Tiger Balm

Tiger balm is a cream used to decrease all sorts of inflammation and offer relief from muscle pain. It usually works as an analgesic agent as it contains clove oil and camphor. Tiger balm will not cure scabies or destroy these mites, but will offer some sort of relief during the period after regular treatment.

Rosemary Oil

This kind of oil has the potential to treat scabies. Rosemary oil prevents the growth of secondary infections and relieves pain as well. A research performed at Northeast Forestry University in China discovered that when mixed, clove and rosemary has important antimicrobial activity.

Neem Oil

Neem oil is recognized to destroy these parasites, and it also prevents the ability of these mites to breed. Neem numbs pain and alleviates itching sensations as well, making it ideal to treat the signs of scabies.

There`s a research performed in India on 814 people with scabies who used a paste made from turmeric and neem oil. There was a cure obtained in 3 to 15 days for 97% of the patients involved in the study; plus, there were no side effects observed. Scientists claim that this is an efficient and safe option which is easily available in cheap as well, which can be especially essential when attempting to treat communities or villagers in countries that are still developing.

Anise Seed Oil

According to “Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2^nd Edition,” the oil that is extracted from anise seeds offers insecticidal benefits. This oil can be used topically to treat head lice and scabies. However, it isn`t advisable that women who are expecting a child use anise oil!

Children can get back to kindergarten or school, after treatment was performed completely and creams were washed away. The treatment lasts 1 – 3 days depending on the medication used.

Your family doctor may indicate exams at 2 and 4 weeks after ending the treatment to make sure that scabies was cured. Persistent nodular scabies can be cured by injecting steroids into the nodules. In a few cases, coal tar products are applied on the nodules. Itching will persist for days or weeks after the mites are successfully killed. This itching is caused by a continuous allergic reaction. The doctor may recommend antihistamines (Benadryl), corticosteroid creams and in more serious cases, corticosteroid tablets to combat itching. The allergic reaction will gradually disappear. – Check this!

To remember! Anyone who came in close physical contact with a person infested with scabies should be treated. They involve people who live in the same house, including those who had a direct intimate contact (sleeping, bathing or cuddling) with infected people.

How to Get Rid of Scabies in your House?

If you may ask yourself “Can you treat scabies at home?” It`s not recommended to replace real medical treatment with home remedies, but it may be possible to get the job done by yourself.

If you want to prevent scabies and get rid of the mites on your own, you need to do a lot more than simply taking a pill or treating your skin. You have to wash all of your personal items – bedding, towels, clothes, everything! The mites may have falls off the skin, so you have to vacuum your whole house.

Additional Advice:

• Fill the entire bathtub with warm water and add around 12 drops of tea tree oil. Stay in the water for around 15 – 20 minutes, 2 times per day until you get rid of the mites.
• Combine some olive oil with tea tree oil in a ratio of 1:1. Then apply the mixture on the areas of the skin that isn`t infected, so you can make sure that part of the skin won`t become sensitive to the mites. – Read more!

What Are Home Remedies for Scabies?

• Neem Oil: It`s a botanical pesticides which is generally used for treating skin issues. It contains both antifungal and antibacterial properties, which may help in eliminating fungus and bacteria from your skin.
• Cayenne Pepper: It will burn the mites and resolve your issue of scabies.
• Turmeric: This is a wonder herb that has both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, and may help with the problems of scabies a lot.
• Tea Tree Oil: Like mentioned above, tea tree oil can help in killing the parasite because it has a special compound in its properties known as terpinen-4-oil.

Preventing

Direct intimate contact should be avoided with anyone who is infested with scabies. The same should happen with any personal items of an infected person. Anyone infested with this disease are encouraged to be cautious to avoid transmitting the disease to other people.