Scabies is a communicable infection caused by mites, Sarcoptes scabiei. It is characterized by incessant itching on the affected area of the skin, especially at night. Scabies commonly affects the following body areas ; waist, armpits, inner thigh, neck, genitals, and between fingers and toes. According to skin experts, the scabies mites lay eggs after burrowing on the skin’s surface.
How to Treat Scabies
These burrows look like thin red lines like when skin is scratched with a pencil. The itching is due to an allergic reaction caused by these eggs and the mites on the skin. This infection is also contagious and it spreads easily from one to another through contact and stuff used by the affected one. If the scabies remains untreated for a long time, secondary infections like impetigo can also occur. Here are ways to get rid of scabies:
Natural way
The itching problem caused by scabies can be solved naturally. Follow the processes below to get instant relief from scabies:
- Dab cotton pad with a tea tree oil solution on the affected skin. You can also use 20 drops of the oil in your water and soak for at least 15 to 20 minutes to relieve yourself from the itching
- Neem (Azadirachta indica) is another remedy used in cases of bacterial infections. You can either lightly rub neem oil on the affected area, apply a neem based cream or use a neem based soap while taking your bath.
- Make a paste of turmeric and neem in the ratio of 1:1 and apply on the affected skin. Allow it to dry and then wash off. Using this treatment two times every day for two weeks, can help you get rid of the itchy menace of scabies.
Medication
Scabies is a rather embarrassing problem as it almost kills your social life. It is better to consult a physician or dermatologist if you see symptoms of red rashes and itchy skin. Here are some of the scabies medications you can expect to be prescribed:
- Permethrin is a common treatment for scabies. This is given as a cream. Other medicated cream compositions that are prescribed are crotamiton, sulfur, malathion and benzoyl benzoate.
- Calamine is prescribed to reduce the itchy feeling
- Oral medications like an antihistamine and ivermectin can also be prescribed in more advanced cases
Taking medication on your own is a huge risk. It is better to go to a doctor before buying anything from the pharmacist’s counter.
Precautions
Being a highly communicable infection, if certain precautions are taken, scabies will go away faster.
- Avoid using fingers or any other body part for scratching the itch. This will only cause spreading of the infection.
- It is better to wash your clothes, bed sheets, pillow covers, towels and any cloth that you have used on the skin with an antibacterial detergent. This will remove the mites and their eggs from the fabric.
- Avoid getting close to other people. Skin contacts can infect them. If you are married, it is better to avoid any sexual contact until you get rid of scabies.
- If you have been in contact with your family, it is better that all the family members are careful as they have a chance of contracting the infection. Everyone should start using an antibacterial soap while taking a bath.