Scabies is a skin disease or infection that is seen affecting many people in this world. It is mainly caused by mites that can be found burrowing or tunneling, just under the outer layer of skin. This leads to eruption of pimple-like rash on the skin of the infected person, also known as scabies rash. Since scabies mites are extremely small and nearly transparent in color, it is difficult to notice their existence. It is only when you start experiencing the symptoms that you get to know that you have been infected by the mites.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of scabies is itching, particularly at night, which is usually experienced in the following areas:
- Between toes and fingers
- Around the wrist
- Folds of the elbow
- Armpits
- Beltline
- Abdomen
- Genitalia
- Nipples
- Buttocks
- Groin
- Face, Scalp or Soles of the Feet (in case of babies)
Home Remedies For Scabies
- One of the most effective natural treatments for scabies comprises of applying fresh juice of apricot leaves over the affected area.
- Tea tree oil is also known to be an effective remedy against scabies. It is an essential oil extracted from melaleuca alternifolia, which is an Australian plant. This powerful oil serves to kill the mites and their eggs. Put 20 drops of pure tea oil in a bathtub full of warm water. It will stop the itching and begin the healing process of the skin.
- Take fresh or dried neem leaves and make a paste from them. Add equal quantity of turmeric powder, mixed with mustard oil. Apply the mixture on the affected area, leave for one hour and wash off.
- Take dried bark of a peepal tree and grind it, to form a fine powder. Strain the powder with a sieve and apply it on the lesions, as a dusting powder.
- Buy 400-500 gm drumstick leaves and extract their juice. Mix in equal amount of sesame seed oil. Boil the solution till the water dries up. Cool down a bit and apply over the infected areas.
- Wash your clothes as well as the bedding in hot water, on a daily basis. Thereafter, leave them in the sun to dry, rather than making use of dryers. Sun drying will help kill the bacteria from the bedding.
Important Tips
- Use hot water and enzymes or borax for laundering the towels, clothing and bedding of the person suffering from scabies.
- If your child is suffering from scabies, make sure that he/she doesn’t share his/her clothes or personal articles, such as hairbrushes, with other children or members of the family.
- The itching in scabies can last for weeks, even after the mite is gone. If you are seeking the recommendation of a doctor, he/she may prescribe you antihistamines to relive the itching.
- Since scabies are known to be highly contagious, you need to alert all your family members for similar symptoms.