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How Do I Choose the Best Scabies Home Treatment?

Christina Edwards
Christina Edwards

Scabies is an irritating skin disorder caused by tiny mites known as sarcoptes scabies, or scabies mites. Certain essential oils, like tea tree and lavender oil, can kill these mites. Hydrocortisone cream and cool baths may also help relieve the itching caused by these parasites. Natural scabies treatments often take much longer than prescription scabies medications, though.

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that can help correct a number of skin problems, including scabies. As a scabies home treatment, this essential oil is considered to be very effective. It also has antibacterial properties, which can help prevent an infection in open sores caused by scratching.

Oil derived from neem trees can be effective in treating scabies at home.
Oil derived from neem trees can be effective in treating scabies at home.

Since it is so strong, however, tea tree oil should not be applied directly to the skin as a scabies home treatment. Instead, several drops of this oil can be added to an individual's bath water. If it is applied directly to the skin, the oil should be diluted. A mixture of half tea tree oil and half olive oil, for example, can be applied to the scabies rashes. Tea tree creams are also sold commercially.

Hyrdocortisone cream can help relieve the itching caused by scabies.
Hyrdocortisone cream can help relieve the itching caused by scabies.

Neem oil is another effective scabies home treatment. This oil comes from the Azadiracta indica plant. Like tea tree oil, it can be added to a scabies sufferer's bath water. It can also be purchased in stick form, which can be applied directly to a scabies rash.

Turmeric is sometimes added to tea tree or neem oil as a scabies home treatment. This spice has natural antibacterial properties, which can help prevent infection in open sores. It also has natural anti inflammatory properties.

Tea tree oil may kill scabies mites.
Tea tree oil may kill scabies mites.

Pure lavender oil is also sometimes used as a scabies home treatment. Like other essential oils used for scabies home treatments, lavender oil can be added to bath water. It can also be mixed with alcohol and applied directly to the skin. Also, lavender oil can help with skin regeneration, and it can help speed up the healing time of scabies.

While using a scabies home treatment, it is important get rid of these mites from a sufferer's environment. Clothes and bedding should be washed with hot water and dried in the dryer. Other objects that can't be washed, like pillows and stuffed animals, should be put in a dryer on high heat.

Condoms may be ineffective against some sexually-transmitted conditions, such as pubic lice and scabies.
Condoms may be ineffective against some sexually-transmitted conditions, such as pubic lice and scabies.

A prescription medication from a doctor is typically the fastest and most efficient way to get rid of scabies. Natural scabies treatments, on the other hand, need to be used frequently and for a longer period of time to be effective. It will usually take anywhere from several days to a few weeks for a natural scabies home treatment to work. If the condition persists after this, medical attention is advised.

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    • Oil derived from neem trees can be effective in treating scabies at home.
      By: Unclesam
      Oil derived from neem trees can be effective in treating scabies at home.
    • Hyrdocortisone cream can help relieve the itching caused by scabies.
      By: carroteater
      Hyrdocortisone cream can help relieve the itching caused by scabies.
    • Tea tree oil may kill scabies mites.
      By: Lucie Říhová
      Tea tree oil may kill scabies mites.
    • Condoms may be ineffective against some sexually-transmitted conditions, such as pubic lice and scabies.
      By: Peter Atkins
      Condoms may be ineffective against some sexually-transmitted conditions, such as pubic lice and scabies.
    • Creams that contain lavender and other essential oils may help relieve itching that stems from a scabies infection.
      By: luiscarceller
      Creams that contain lavender and other essential oils may help relieve itching that stems from a scabies infection.
    • A prescription medication is usually the best way to get rid of scabies, as they act faster than home treatments.
      By: Rob Byron
      A prescription medication is usually the best way to get rid of scabies, as they act faster than home treatments.
    • Scabies home treatment may involve putting pillows in a dryer on high heat.
      By: Offscreen
      Scabies home treatment may involve putting pillows in a dryer on high heat.
    • Children and the elderly are at highest risk for developing scabies.
      By: Cherry-Merry
      Children and the elderly are at highest risk for developing scabies.