Home Treatment For Scabies Mites - How to Kill Scabies Naturally

Home treatment for scabies can be a very effective option-indeed it is preferred by many as an alternative to costly traditional medications. Prescription medication is not only expensive but some feel that it has a potential cost to health too. The strong insecticides which need to be applied directly to the skin can have very unpleasant, and some would say dangerous, side effects and may carry associations to conditions which are considered life threatening.

There is little doubt that when used correctly, the insecticides can be effective. Having said this there are widely reported discrepancies in the length of time they take to be effective. This is more likely to be due to their application as it can be quite difficult to ensure that a cream or lotion is applied to every area of the body!

The three most popular treatments are Malathion, Lindane and Permethrin.

Malathion is normally used more for head lice than scabies. There is evidence to suggest that it can cause breathing difficulties, dizziness and nausea and headaches.

Lindane used to be used very widely but is used much less nowadays as it has a known association with seizures and leukemia in children. It has also been reported that farmers using it to treat cattle and grain have a higher incidence of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. It is now banned completely in over 40 countries.

Permethrin is the most widely prescribed insecticide and has known side effects which include itching, stinging and burning. Although some would argue that these are similar to the very symptoms it is trying to eradicate, at least they are short-lived. People are often more concerned that Permethrin is a derivative of Pyrethrum and there is speculation that this may be a carcinogen.

When you consider the potential side effects of these conventional methods, there is little wonder that most people prefer to use home treatment for scabies wherever possible.

How Do You Catch Scabies?

Scabies is a skin infection caused by a burrowing mite called Sarcoptes Scabiei. The mite, often unnoticed at first, burrows into the skin. Although this may feel a little itchy, mostly people really only notice discomfort a couple of weeks later as they react to the waste products produced by the mite. A rash often develops which is frequently mistaken for eczema. The rash is often around the wrists, between the fingers, in the armpits, under the breasts, around the waist and groin, between the toes and around the ankles. Many people also experience the rash around their genital area. Sometimes people notice burrow marks, but these can be notoriously difficult to see as they look like tiny white scratches which can be almost invisible to the naked eye. Scabies can be caught from skin to skin contact with an infected person. It can even be caught simply by holding hands. If one family member catches scabies, it can spread through a family like wildfire.

If you are looking at how to kill scabies by using home treatments, one of the best methods is by using tea tree oil. If you add around 20 drops into a warm bath and soak for around 15 minutes, this can help to kill off scabies. The antiseptic action of tea tree oil is also excellent on skin which has been scratched and which may have scabs and lesions. In addition, you can apply diluted tea tree oil directly to the worst affected areas by soaking a cotton wool ball in the solution and dabbing the area.

To prevent reinfestation after scabies, good general hygiene is very important. Firstly, as the scabies mites and eggs can live outside the body, it is essential to keep nails short and clean the hands thoroughly with a nail brush to prevent mites surviving under the fingernails after the sufferer has been scratching. All clothing and bed linen should be washed in very hot water wherever possible and towels should not be shared and should be changed regularly.

To see methods of eradicating scabies quickly, please visit Home Treatment For Scabies. You will find information on all aspects of scabies treatment and how to kill scabies within just 24 hours.