Scabies is a skin condition caused by a mite that results in rash, redness, itchiness and pain. Blisters can sometimes also develop. It is very contagious and often spreads in crowded areas where people have direct contact with others, such as day care centers and nursing homes. While there are topical prescription medications, many home remedies for scabies can also provide relief effectively and safely.
1. Zinc
Zinc is an anti-inflammatory and antifungal, warding off secondary infection risk from scabies and providing relief from the skin irritation, rash, and redness. It also helps the body absorb nutrients to help in recovery and immune system repair and fight off the scabies mites and infection; therefore, zinc is one of the best home remedies for scabies.
Necessary items
- Zinc tablets – 2 to 3
- Water – 3 to 5 drops
- Foods high in zinc like sunflower seeds, soybeans, and wheat bran.
Directions
To treat the disease with this home remedy for scabies, grind two to three pure zinc tablets into a powder and add a few drops of water to create a thick paste. Apply the paste to the affected areas of the skin and leave on for at 30 minutes or until the past has dried completely. Rinse the paste off with warm water and dry thoroughly. Repeat daily until the infection has completely cleared. In addition to using the zinc paste, incorporate foods containing high levels of zinc into the diet but make sure they are not toxic to the individual first.
No products found.
No products found.
2. Lavender oil
Lavender oil has been used since Ancient times for its medicinal properties, and it is the most used essential oil used today around the world. It reduces anxiety and stress, improves sleep, relieves headaches, improves skin complexion and acne breakouts and treats eczema and psoriasis. The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of lavender oil make it one of the most popular scabies home remedies.
Necessary items
- Lavender essential oil – 3 to 4 drops if applying to the skin or 10 to 12 drops if adding to warm bath water
Directions
Apply three to four drops of lavender oil directly to the affected skin and massage until absorbed into the skin. A lavender oil bath can also be an effective treatment by adding 10 to 12 drops of lavender oil to warm bath water. Soak in the bath water for 30 minutes and dry thoroughly. Apply this home remedy for scabies until the infection has completely disappeared.
No products found.
3. Cayenne Pepper
The natural spice found in cayenne pepper effectively and quickly kills the mites that cause scabies, making this spice a great home remedy for scabies.
Image source: PXhere.com
Necessary items
- Cayenne pepper – 1 cup
- Bathtub of hot water
Directions
Mix one cup of cayenne pepper in a bathtub of hot water and soak until the water cools. Take precaution and care to not get pepper in the nose or eyes as it will burn and cause great discomfort. Rinse the entire body thoroughly with cool water to remove all traces of the cayenne pepper. This is not an appropriate treatment for those with sensitive skin.
No products found.
4. Aloe Vera
From burns to cuts to skin irritations, aloe vera is one of the most popular home remedies for scabies and other skin issues. The gel found inside the aloe vera plant leaves is an antibacterial, providing healing properties for the skin. Many people own aloe vera plants as decorative features, realizing that when necessary, the gel inside the leaves can be a useful healing agent.
Necessary items
Directions
Simply cut a leaf from the plant and extract the gel from the leaf. Apply the gel directly to the affected area of the skin and allow it to dry. Use daily, three times a day, until the scabies infection has completely disappeared.
5. Clove Oil
As an analgesic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, clove oil clears blisters and rash from scabies infection – a highly effective home remedy for scabies. Clove oil is also toxic for scabies mites, making it one of the most effective home remedies for scabies as it prevents the reproduction of the mites. Mix 10 drops of clove oil with one teaspoon of honey. Massage into the skin irritation twice daily until the infection has cleared.
Necessary items
- Clove oil – 10 drops
- Honey – 1 teaspoon
No products found.
No products found.
6. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary is a popular Mediterranean herb used in cooking and was used in ancient times for its medicinal properties. Today, it is one of the most popular essential oils due to its many health benefits, including treating respiratory problems, relieving pain and stress, boosting the immune system and clearing skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and acne.
Rosemary oil is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, making it a popular choice for those looking for natural home remedies for scabies. The combination of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties kills the scabies mites as well as prevents secondary infection and relieves skin irritation.
Image source: Pixabay
Necessary items
- Rosemary oil – 3 to 4 drops
Directions
Apply three to four drops of rosemary oil directly to the infected skin area and massage into the skin. Apply daily until the scabies infection has completely cleared.
No products found.
7. Anise Seed Oil
Anise is a flowering plant found in the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, and a popular food spice in this region. It was also a popular medicinal oil used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It is a popular essential oil for its ability to relieve stress and pain, calm overactive nerves, improve the digestive system, and act as a decongestant and expectorant. Oil extracted from the anise seed serves as an antiseptic that effectively kills scabies mites as well as head lice. It’s one of the most effective scabies home remedies.
It also helps speed the healing process of skin wounds and irritation and prevents secondary infection. To use as a scabies infection treatment, boil a handful of anise seeds in one cup of water and then strain the seeds from the water and oil mixture.
Necessary items
To make your own oil:
- Anise seeds – a handful
- Water – 1 cup
Using anise seed essential oil:
- Anise seed oil – 3 to 4 drops
- Honey – 1 teaspoon
Directions
Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture to the infected skin areas. Repeat daily until the infection has completely cleared. Anise seed oil is also available as an essential oil. Three to four drops of the oil can be mixed with one teaspoon of honey and massaged into the skin. While anise seed oil is a natural oil derived from a botanical, it should not be used by pregnant women. Those who are allergic to plants similar to anise may also experience an allergic reaction, therefore this is one of the home remedies for scabies you need to use with care.
No products found.
No products found.
8. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory, making it among the most effective home remedies for scabies and other skin issues, cuts and burns. It contains terpinene-4-ol, an organic compound that effectively kills mites that cause scabies. Archives of Dermatology published the results of a study that found tea tree oil successfully killed scabies mites within five minutes of contact.
Necessary items
- 100% pure tea tree oil – 1 tablespoon
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
As a bath
- 100% pure tea tree oil – 10 to 12 drops added to warm bath water
Directions
For relief from pain and swelling and to help heal the skin issue, mix one tablespoon of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of olive oil. Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture to the affected area. Repeat two times a day for two to three weeks.
A bath with tea tree oil can also help with healing. Add 10 to 12 drops of tea tree oil to warm bath water and soak for 30 minutes. Repeat twice a day for two to three weeks. Pregnant women and those nursing should not use tea tree oil. Those with sensitive skin should test a small area of the skin first to avoid skin irritation.
No products found.
No products found.
9. Turmeric
One of the best scabies home remedies is the spice turmeric. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic that fights bacteria, meaning it treats the skin irritation, rash, and pain while eliminating the mites responsible for the scabies infection.
Image source: Flickr.com
Necessary items
- Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
- Water – 1 tablespoon
Directions
To treat the skin, add two to three drops of lemon juice and two to three drops of water to one tablespoon of turmeric powder. Create a paste and apply it to the skin infection. Leave on for an hour and then rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly. Repeat daily until improvement is noticeable.
No products found.
10. Neem Oil and Neem Leaves
Neem oil is often used as a treatment for skin issues and irritation. It is an antibacterial and antifungal and produces an odor that prevents the mites that cause scabies from reproducing. By interfering with the reproduction of the mites, it dramatically shortens the length of the infection, thus being one of the most effective home remedies for scabies.
Necessary items
- 100% pure neem oil or Neem leaves
- Water – 1 cup
Directions
To treat the scabies infection, apply pure neem oil on the infected area and massage until fully absorbed into the skin. Let the oil sit on the skin for 10 to 15 minutes and then bathe. Repeat daily for three weeks to prevent spreading the infection and to relieve the skin from discomfort.
Another option is boil neem leaves in a cup of water. Allow it to cool to room temperature and drink one tablespoon throughout the day, three to four times. Repeat daily for one week to eliminate the mites from internally out.
No products found.
11. Garlic
Garlic is a popular home remedy for many ailments as it is an anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, builds the immune system, and is a heart-healthy food. The antibacterial properties of the garlic can effectively kill the mites that cause the scabies infection. Garlic can serve as an effective treatment with two uses—consumed to treat the scabies infection from the inside out and topically to smother the mites and provide healing for the skin issue.
Necessary items
As a drink:
- Garlic cloves – 3, fresh
- Milk – 6 ounces
As a supplement:
- High-quality supplement, follow the dosing guidelines on the label
As a topical:
- Garlic cloves – 3, fresh
- Water – 1 cup
Directions
Using three garlic cloves, peel and chop the fresh garlic and place in a saucepan with six ounces of milk. Bring the milk to a boil, then simmer to allow the garlic to steep. Wait to drink the milk until it has safely cooled to a warm temperature. Garlic supplements can also be taken if unable to drink the mixture for one of the most effective home remedies for scabies.
For a topical treatment, peel fresh garlic cloves and boil in water for about 10 minutes until softened. Mash the garlic to create a paste and then apply directly to the infected areas of the skin. Leave on for 30 minutes and then rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly.
No products found.
12. Bleach
The chlorine in bleach makes it a strong disinfectant that will kill the scabies mite responsible for the skin infection.
Image source: Flickr
Necessary items
- Bleach – 1 cup
- Water – 3 cups
Directions
Mix one cup of bleach with three cups of water. Using a cotton swab, apply the mixture directly to the infected skin area and allow to air dry. Shower using soap and water to completely remove the bleach from the skin and avoid additional skin irritation.
This is not an appropriate treatment for areas near the eyes or mouth, nor should bleach be used in bath water or ingested. Those with sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate the bleach mixture on the skin.
No products found.
Conclusion
While the scabies mite is tough and causes a very contagious infection, there are many natural home remedies for scabies. The ingredients for many of these remedies are likely already in the home, inexpensive and easy to find at most grocery stores or health stores. Because scabies is easily spread, if the infection does not show improvement within a few days to a week, and completely clear within two to three weeks, it is best to visit a physician.
Share your experience with these scabies home remedies or let us know about your own for others to try.
(Visited 698 times, 1 visits today)