Natural Remedies for Scabies

Natural remedies for scabies are the treatment of choice for people who are sensitive to the pesticides permethrin and lindane. Some people simply want to avoid those toxins (which are used to kill lice and mites), because they are expensive, require a doctor’s prescription and are known to cause unwanted side effects.

Lindane use is actually illegal in 17 countries and restricted in 33. There are three confirmed deaths caused by lindane use according to the US FDA. Yet, its use is still legal for lice and mite infestations if prescribed by a doctor.

The mite involved in scabies burrows into the skin causing severe itching. In some cases, it can cause crusting. Most of the damage done to the skin is caused by scratching. It is the same mite that causes sarcoptic mange in dogs and other animals. It is highly contagious and can be transferred from owner to pet and vice versa.

Because of the contagious factor, treating the environment is a part of all scabies natural remedies. It is a necessity for preventing re-infestation.

Natural Remedies for Scabies
Stop the Itch and Irritation

Bed clothes, towels and clothing should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat in order to kill the mites and the eggs. Any item that cannot be washed in hot water should be discarded. The entire house should be cleaned thoroughly and cleaning rags discarded. For best results, use a spray (making sure to spray both sides of your mattress) and then open the windows and air out the room for at least 12 hours.

Bathroom fixtures, floors, kitchen counters and other household items can be cleaned using Neem, tea tree or orange oil. All are naturally occurring oils with some anti-parasitic activity.

There are three effective scabies natural remedies for killing the mites that have burrowed into the skin. 10% sulfur and petroleum jelly ointments can be effective, but a natural remedy called Scab-Ease is a scabies natural remedy that uses homeopathic ingredients to relieve itching, irritation, rashes and other issues caused by mites. It's best to keep this on hand especially if you have pets that like to sleep in your bed.

Although petroleum jelly is a byproduct of gasoline distillation, it lacks the ability to penetrate the skin’s outer layers. So there is no risk of toxicity especially for small infestations.

Neem oil has been just as effective as permethrin in some studies. It is a staple of Indian Ayurvedic medicine, a natural vegetable oil used for centuries to fight all kinds of parasitic infections and other diseases.

The third choice is tea tree oil at a 5% concentration. It is normally diluted with distilled or purified water. Studies have shown that it works better than commercial medications. Tea tree oil is derived from a plant native to Australia and New Zealand and is one of the most effective natural remedies for scabies.

One of these natural remedies for scabies will resolve the problem. Just remember to treat the environment as well. For this, you can buy a spray at your local grocery store or at Home Depot. Just look for it in the Home & Garden section.