In this article, we will discuss the best remedies to get rid of scabies. Scabies (Sarcoptic Mange) is a very uncomfortable, infectious skin condition commonly seen in children and young adults. It can spread very quickly among people in a crowded area who have direct contacts with each other. People at nursing homes and child care centers are more vulnerable to it. It is caused by a mite, termed as Sarcoptes Scabiei. It can survive up to 14 to 21 days living on human skin. Scabies generally appear on the buttocks, under the breasts, soles of the feet, around the waist, shoulder blades, between the fingers, around the genital area, on the knees, near the elbow and in the armpits.
Severe pain, rashes, itching and redness around the infected area are the common symptoms of scabies. Swelling and blisters may also occur. Making a close contact with an infected person, sharing personal items belonging to an infected person (such as towel, comb, etc.) and making sexual contact with a person who has an infestation, can be the reason of mites to spread through. Immediate treatment is necessary to reduce the symptoms of scabies. There are prescription medicines as well as over-the-counter medicines available for scabies. However, you can start your treatment at home by trying some basic natural remedies that use readily available ingredients.
Soaking the affected area in a cool water may essentially help reducing itching and other symptoms. Soak the affected area in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes, dry your skin with a clean towel or cotton, then apply some calamine lotion. It is easily available in the local store without a prescription. Alternatively, use a washcloth soaked in cool water and put it on the irritated skin and then apply some calamine lotion. Do this multiple times a day.
Top Remedies to Get Rid of Scabies:
1.) Margosa Oil and Leaves to Get Rid of Scabies
Margosa oil is a botanical pesticide that is used to treat many skin problems including scabies. Antibacterial and antifungal properties of the margosa oil help eliminate bacteria and fungus trapped in the skin. The smell of margosa oil prevents scabies from reproducing, which can considerably shorten the duration of the problem. Apply a few drops of pure margosa oil directly on the affected skin, massage it gently until the oil penetrates deep into the skin. Wait for half an hour then take a bath. Do this once daily for several weeks to prevent the infection from spreading. Combine two ounces of margosa oil and the equal amount of freshly ground turmeric powder to make an antiseptic cream. Apply this cream on the affected skin twice or thrice a day. This homemade cream helps relieve itching and speeds up the healing process.
If you do not get margosa oil, you can use margosa leaves instead. Take a handful of fresh margosa leaves and crush them to make a paste. Wash the affected area carefully and then apply the margosa paste on it thoroughly. Let it dry on its own and then take a to rinse it off. Do this every day to speed up the healing process until healed completely. Boil few margosa leaves in a cup of water. Let the temperature cool down. Intake the liquid one tablespoon, three or four times a day. Follow this for a week or two to make sure the mites and scabies are gone completely.
2.) Tea Tree Oil to Get Rid of Scabies
Terpinen-4-ol is compound found in tea tree oil that helps kill the parasite that causes scabies. Tea tree oil has also, the anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, disinfectant, antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial and wound-healing qualities that help treat scabies. Mix one tablespoon of tea tree oil with the same amount of olive oil. Apply the solution on the affected area using a cotton ball. Repeat this twice daily for two to three weeks. It will help reduce swelling and relieve the pain while speeding up the healing process. Alternatively, Mix10 to 12 drops of pure tea tree oil to a bathtub, filled with lukewarm water. Take a bath in this water two times a day for a few weeks.
Note: Pregnant women and nursing mothers are advised to avoid using tea tree oil. Also, tea tree oil can irritate a sensitive skin. Test the treatment on a small area first, If you have a sensitive skin.
3.) White Vinegar to Get Rid of Scabies
White vinegar has acidic nature which changes the pH level of the skin. It is seen in research that any change in the pH level causes mites to die. Add equal quantity of white vinegar and water thoroughly in a container. Apply the solution on the affected skin with the help of a cotton ball. Leave it on for a few minutes. Then wash it off with lukewarm water. Follow it thrice a day for 10 to 15 days to fight the infection completely.
4.) Aloe Vera to Get Rid of Scabies
Aloe Vera is widely used as a remedy for scabies. the antimicrobial properties of aloe vera can speed up the healing process of scabies, bug bites, and many other skin conditions. Extract the aloe vera gel from the leaf of aloe vera and apply it on the affected skin. Leave it there for half an hour and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Follow this method for two to three times a day for few weeks. Crush a handful of calendula petals, and add a pinch of turmeric powder. Mix these ingredients with two tablespoons of aloe vera gel, and stir it to form a paste. Apply the paste on the affected skin and let it dry. Repeat this two times daily for a week or two for complete recovery.
5.) Pure Lavender Oil to Get Rid of Scabies
Pure lavender oil kills parasites like mites that cause scabies and improves skin cell regeneration. Mix five to seven drops of pure lavender oil to warm bath water. Soak your body in this bath water for at least 15 minutes. This will help relax your skin and give some relief from the itching. Do this once a day for a few weeks. Mix equal quantity of rubbing alcohol and pure lavender oil. Apply the mixture oil on the affected area and massage gently with your fingers. This will help kill the mites and their eggs on the affected skin. Do this twice daily to enhance the healing process.
6.) Turmeric to Get Rid of Scabies
Turmeric is a wonderful herb. It’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties can greatly relieve the symptoms of scabies. Make a thick paste by mixing one tablespoon of turmeric powder and a few drops of lemon juice and water. Apply this paste on the affected areas and leave it on for about an hour. Then wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this method once daily until you notice significant improvement. Add one teaspoon of turmeric and an equal amount of margosa powder. Add some water to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste on the affected skin and let it dry on its own. After it has dried completely, take a bath or shower to rinse it off. Repeat this once daily.
7.) Bleach to Get Rid of Scabies
Bleach helps kill mites, that’s why is widely used to treat scabies. Take one part of bleach and four parts of water and mix it together. Spray this solution gently on the affected skin twice daily. Follow the process for a few days. Besides these remedies, it is also very important to avoid close contact with an infected person and his or her personal belonging. Also, take care of the cleanliness of the surrounding area to prevent the mites and scabies from spreading.
8.) Cayenne Pepper to Get Rid of Scabies
Cayenne pepper can burn and kill the mites, hence relieving the problem of scabies. Add one cup of cayenne pepper in a bathtub filled with hot water. Soak the body in the bath water until the water gets cold. Make sure water doesn’t get in your eyes, as the pepper will cause a burning sensation in your eyes. Wash off the cayenne pepper with cool water. Follow this method once daily until the scabies is treated.
Note: people with sensitive skin should avoid this method.
9.) Zinc to Get Rid of Scabies
Though Zinc doesn’t directly treat scabies, but it will greatly help prevent fungal outbreaks and fight off secondary skin infections. Smash two or three zinc tablets into a fine powder. Make a thick paste by adding some water to it. You can also add a little bit of turmeric to make it more effective. Apply this paste on the affected skin. Leave it on to dry naturally. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily until the scabies infection is gone. At the same time, you can also eat more foods rich in zinc like whole grain products, sunflower seeds, wheat bran, soybeans, and others.
10.) Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide to Treat Scabies Naturally
Hydrogen peroxide and borax together work as a wonder remedy for rashes such as scabies and poison ivy. Borax is a natural fungicide and insecticide. Whereas hydrogen has antibacterial properties, which together works effectively for the scabies treatment. Both the ingredients inhibit the growth of the parasites that leads to scabies. They also reduce any secondary infection. To use this, fill your bathtub with a lukewarm water. Add one cup of hydrogen and two cups of borax. Soak yourself in the bathtub for 15-20 minutes. Take this bath regularly once in a day to cure the scabies
11.) Clove Oil for Scabies Treatment
Clove oil is packed with the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that prove useful for treating scabies. Moreover, it is analgesic that is another advantage of using this remedy. All you have to do is take a small bowl, pour 10 drops of clove oil into it, add some vegetable oil to it and mix both the oils thoroughly. Slather this combination of oils on the affected area before going to the bed. Similarly, you can also make a mixture of the clove oil, honey, and water and apply this all over the affected skin. This is a perfect antiseptic mixture for scabies treatment.
12.) Evening Primrose Oil to Treat Scabies
This is one remedy that is can be used to treat a number of female related problems such as menopausal symptoms like breast pain, hot flashes and endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome as well. The good news is the oil can also be used to treat scabies because of all the good properties it has. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antihelminthic properties present in it comes in power for the scabies treatment. Slather on some evening primrose oil on the affected skin before going to the days to get rid of the rashes, inflammation and redness around. You can also use this to treat acne and pimples.
13.) Onion to Treat Scabies Naturally
Yes, you read it right! It’s onion. It is a staple in most of the kitchens and comes handy to treat scabies as well. The best thing about the onions is, it has quercetin which is analgesic in nature. This property helps to treat the itching. Moreover, it is packed with the organosulfur compounds that help to inhibit the growth of the parasite. Simply chop an onion in a few pieces, effect sprinkles salt on the top of it. Put it in the muslin cloth and squeeze the cloth to get the juice out of it. and apply it affected skin. Onion juice can also be used to treat an earache.
14.) Rosemary to Get Rid of Scabies Naturally
Nothing can be best then nature. Essential oils are a boon. Talking about the rosemary particularly, it is enriched with the goodness that helps to treat burns, rashes, and scabies as well. You can use it in any of the ways. Either make tea out of it. Or use dried rosemary leaves to make the paste. In any of the way it will be going to help you always.
15.) Bitter Gourd Juice to Treat Scabies
It does not taste good, though, but it is a wonderful vegetable when it comes to overall health and skin. It not only has beneficial nutrients, in fact, it has an anti-inflammatory property that helps to get rid of scabies. To get rid of scabies prepare a glass of bitter gourd juice and a tablespoon of lemon juice to it and drink it regularly.