Scabies is a dermatological disease caused by a mite that inoculates itself under the skin and multiplies, causing itching and the appearance of red, scaly patches. The very idea of experiencing these reactions probably makes your skin crawl, but you have nothing to be embarrassed about if you get this infection! Anyone can take it and poor personal hygiene has nothing to do with it. With proper treatment, scabies can be cured and eradicated within a week. Typically, a benzyl benzoate cream is applied to kill the mites and eliminate the rash, but you may also use some home remedies. They are not as reliable as topical medications, however they may have some effectiveness. Before trying them, consult your doctor to confirm the diagnosis, then see if they help solve the problem.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Resorting to Topical Treatments
You will undoubtedly want to get rid of the problem as soon as possible and resume living peacefully. Generally, creams containing benzyl benzoate are the best drugs to kill the mites causing the infection. However, according to some studies, it appears that certain natural remedies are also effective. Once you have verified that it is scabies, try some topical treatments to see if it works. If not, get your doctor to prescribe a suitable cream.
Step 1. Use aloe vera gel if you want a natural and effective option
A small study has shown that aloe vera gel can fight scabies as much as pharmacological creams, offering some hope in alternative treatments. Try applying pure aloe vera gel on the rash and see if it works.
The study did not specify how long the patients used the gel. Normally, scabies creams take a week to take effect, so consider seven days as the minimum application time
Step 2. Apply the tea tree oil cream
It seems that creams containing 5-6% tea tree oil have some effectiveness against scabies. So, try smearing it once a day for a month to see if it helps cure the infection.
During the research, creams or gels based on tea tree oil were used, not absolute oil. The use of undiluted oil has not been the subject of studies
Step 3. Kill the mites with clove oil
This oil contains chemicals that have been shown to be effective in killing mites in laboratory tests. Try rubbing it on the rash and letting it sit for 24 hours to kill these unwanted guests.
Step 4. Try neem oil
Neem oil can also kill the mites responsible for scabies in 24 hours. Studies show that it is effective at a concentration of 20 mg / ml. Try applying it to the rash and leave it on for 24 hours to see if it works.
Step 5. Avoid using bleach on your skin
Some websites say that bleach is able to kill scabies mites and promote their death. The problem is that this substance irritates and burns the skin. This is not a recommended treatment, so keep using it for household cleaning only.
According to some websites, even vinegar would be able to kill scabies mites. It's not as dangerous as bleach, but it probably won't work
Step 6. Get a prescription from your doctor if home remedies are not effective
The most common treatment against scabies is performed with a special cream capable of eliminating both adult mites and eggs. Generally, it should be spread all over the body, from the neck down, and left to act for 8-10 hours, because there is a risk that the mites have spread beyond the initial site of the infection. Sometimes a single application is enough, but the treatment may need to be repeated if directed by your doctor. Follow its instructions so that it is effective.
- The most used drugs are permethrin-based creams. If they don't work, your doctor may also prescribe a lotion containing indane, crotamiton, or ivermectin.
- If you live with other people, your doctor may prescribe the same prophylactic treatment for them as well because scabies tends to spread easily.
Part 2 of 3: Relieve the Symptoms
Even though the treatments you are following are effective against scabies mites, the itching can continue for a few weeks. Unfortunately, you have to wait for the rash to heal before this symptom stops altogether. Fortunately, you can manage this with a few simple self-medication measures until the irritation is gone.
Step 1. Use a cold pack
This way, you will numb the skin and relieve itching. Try moistening a towel with cold water and holding it on the rash to relieve symptoms.
If the rash is on a limb, you can soak the limb in cold water instead of applying the compress
Step 2. Take a cold oatmeal bath
It is useful if the rash has spread extensively over the body. Prepare a cold bath and add a few handfuls of oatmeal to soothe the skin.
- Hot or boiling water can irritate the skin and aggravate itching, so it's best to use cold water.
- Cold water bath is effective even without oatmeal.
Step 3. Use a soothing cream until the itching subsides
Antihistamine lotions, such as calamine-based lotions, reduce itching until the scabies infection is completely eradicated. Apply them following the instructions in the package insert.
Step 4. Relieve itching with an oral antihistamine
If the cream isn't enough to soothe the itch, antihistamine medications may prove more effective. Consult your doctor to rule out any contraindications and follow his advice on the posology.
- The most used antihistamines in these cases are Benadryl, Zirtec, Clarityn and Fexallegra.
- This class of drugs can cause drowsiness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking it.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing a Reinfection
Unfortunately, scabies is a contagious disease, and the mites can spread to other people's bodies. However, don't panic as it only takes a few simple steps to eliminate them from your home and clothes. Of course, you will have to make some sacrifices, but in the end you will be sure that neither you nor any other person will be the victim of another infection.
Step 1. Wash all bedding and clothes in hot water
Scabies can persist on clothing and bedding causing reinfection even after treatment has begun. So, the day you start taking care of yourself, collect all your laundry and wash it in hot water. Then put it in the dryer on a high temperature. Strong heat will help you kill all the mites.
- Dry cleaning is fine too. Just make sure you tell the laundry staff that you have scabies so they can take precautions.
- Items you haven't touched for more than a week should be pristine. Scabies mites can't live that long away from people.
- Keep doing laundry like this until the infection clears up.
Step 2. Separate your laundry from others
Scabies is contagious and could be spread to other individuals through contaminated clothing and bedding. If you live with other people, keep your laundry separate from theirs, even after washing your clothes, to prevent the spread of mites.
Step 3. Seal items in plastic for a week if you can't wash them
Typically, if the mites stop being in contact with people, they die within 2-3 days. If there are items that you can't wash easily, like sofa cushions or chair upholstery, seal them with plastic bags and don't open them for a week. Such a measure will help you eradicate these unwanted guests.
In the absence of plastic, you just have to put any contaminated things in an isolated place, for example in the garage. Make sure no one touches them for several days. You will need this measurement for large objects, such as chairs and furniture
Step 4. Vacuum rugs, carpets and furniture
Mites can also spread to carpets, sofas, chairs and other furniture items. The day you start taking care of yourself, vacuum any object and space of possible contamination.
Like linen, items you haven't touched for more than a week should also be free of mites
Step 5. Do not have physical contact with anyone until you recover
This measure includes hugs, close contact (like sitting next to someone), and sexual intercourse. Avoid any kind of contact until the infection clears up completely.
- Also, do not share the bed and sofa with other people. Mites can also be transmitted in this way.
- Remember that if a person contracts scabies, it may take 2 to 4 weeks for symptoms to develop.
Health reminder
Diagnosing scabies may scare you, but it is a disease that can be cured! In most cases, symptoms tend to subside within a week of starting treatment. Some home remedies are effective, so you can try them. However, if you do not notice any improvement, consult your doctor and follow the treatments he prescribes. Either way, you should recover with no consequences for your health.
Advice
- Scabies can be transmitted even if you are a clean person and shower every day, so it is not a disease that has to do with poor personal hygiene.
- Don't be afraid to contaminate your furry friends. Scabies that affects people are unable to survive on pets.
