How to Get Rid of Scabies

Scabies is a skin disease, which is caused by very small mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. It causes a lot of discomfort to the bearer. These are pain, itching and skin irritation. If you are suffering from scabies, you should work towards curing it as early as possible. This is because, it easily spreads through physical contact like shaking hands, hugging, sleeping together, etc. There are many possible ways of getting rid of scabies fast. Some of the effective ones are briefly described here.

Getting Rid of Scabies Without Going to the Doctor

OTC Drugs to Kill Scabies Mites
There can be several ways that can help you in getting rid of scabies without consulting a doctor. At the top position in the list is the use of over-the-counter medications. There are some medications that are specifically designed for curing scabies on a human's body. Two common examples of such medicines are permethrin and malathion. Permethrin is commercially available in the form of topical cream while malathion is available in the form of body lotion. According to the rule of thumb, you should use malathion only when permethrin fails to provide you relief from scabies.

You will get all the directions for usage on the pack of both these medicines. You need to follow them strictly to obtain the best possible results. There are some instructions for usage that are commonly suggested. First of all, never apply these creams and lotion on cool, dry and moist skin. Your skin needs to be in a normal state during its application. Over-absorption of permethrin and malathion in the skin will remove the active ingredients from the site where their action is needed. Secondly, apply permethrin and malathion starting from the upper parts of the body, i.e, apply it first on ears, neck, chest, and in this manner further towards down. This is necessary to derive all the possible benefits from both these non-prescription medicines.

You may find it a bit difficult to apply the lotion or cream well on skin folds such as elbow, knees, under arms, etc. You can use a toothbrush to apply the medicines evenly on such parts of your body. Once done with the application part, take a soft bristle brush and rub it all over your body. This will ensure even distribution of the medicine on your body, and hence good results. Leave permethrin on your skin for about 12 hours, while malathion for almost 24 hours. In case, you need to wash your skin during this period of time, you can do it but make sure that you re-apply the medicine right after it. Usually, the first application of these medicines is able to kill all Sarcoptes scabiei, which is the causative agent of scabies. However, repetition of the application after 7 days or so will be in your benefit. Do go for it to kill any existing or hatched egg.

Itching may persist for about 4-5 weeks even after the application of permethrin and malathion. This is because, the immune system of your body continues to react to the presence of dead mites and their excrement. If itching persist longer than 6 weeks, pay a visit to a doctor. Permethrin is not safe for expecting mothers. Therefore, pregnant women should use a solution of sulfur in petroleum in place of permethrin to get rid of scabies. Permethrin and malathion can produce certain negative effects on many people. These are itching, burning sensation and skin irritation. In case, you develop such side effects after the application of permethrin and malathion, you should immediately seek medical assistance.

OTC Drugs to Lessen the Scabies Symptoms
Intense itching is usually associated with scabies. To get yourself some relief from it, you may make use of non-prescription drugs like calamine lotion. You may use over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or Benadryl to get rid of itching. Benadryl provides you comfort especially at night. Many people tend to develop drowsiness and sleepiness after taking antihistamines. If you find your case to be similar, you should take it only when you are done with all of your important chores for the day. Many-a-times during scabies, scratching to relieve itching causes skin rash. There is possibility that the skin rash may get infected by bacteria and fungi. In order to avoid infection of the rash, you need to take over-the-counter antibiotics and antifungal medicines.

Home Remedies for Scabies
If you want to know how to get rid of scabies naturally, then go for neem (Azadirachta indica) oil and turmeric. Herbalists recommend neem oil and turmeric for getting rid of scabies. By applying neem oil all over your body, you will not only get relief from scabies mites but also from pain, inflammation, infection and itching. Make a paste of turmeric and lemon juice, apply it all over your body. Allow it to dry for about 30 minutes. Rinse it off well with plenty of water.

All the above suggested ways on getting rid of scabies will remain effective if you work towards killing scabies mites from each and every part of your house. Wash all clothing, bed covers, cushion covers, curtains, etc. in hot water at around 45 degree centigrade. Air drying them may bring scabies mites from outside. Therefore, dry them with a dryer inside your house. Cut your nails and keep them clean to kill scabies mites and prevent hatching of their eggs. Keep your house as clean as possible. Vacuum clean the household furniture, rugs, etc and throw the vacuum cleaner bag out after the cleaning is done. All these safety measures will definitely ensure long term relief from scabies.