Scabies is a highly contagious skin infection caused by parasitic mites. Female mites burrow inside the human skin and lay eggs. These mites are not visible to the naked eye and can be viewed only through a microscope or magnifying glass. It is important to save your skin from scabies and avoid spreading to your loved ones!
The mites cause severe rashes, blisters, bumps and itchiness on the skin which get worse with time. The problem is intense at night when the mites become more active. The most affected body parts in this skin infection are hands, fingers, wrists, elbows, feet, knees, buttocks, armpits and the genital area. Young children and infants get infected more easily than adults.
Scabies is highly contagious and gets transmitted easily through direct skin contact. Physical contact like hugging, shaking hands or sharing bedclothes can result in transferring mites from one person to another. However, the disease does not transmit from the cat or dog to humans.
Prevention is better than cure
Preventive measures can keep you at distance from scabies. The best way is to maintain good hygiene.
1. Daily baths and regular hand washing are must to keep the scabies mites away.
2. Always wear washed and clean clothes and avoid physical contact with persons infected with scabies. 3. Avoid sharing clothes and bedclothes of infected persons.
4. It is advisable to wash the clothing, towels and bed linen of an infected person in hot water regularly.
5. Items such as stuffed toys should be kept in garbage bags and stored in different place, mites on them will die on their own in a week.
Immediate treatment of scabies
It can ensure that the disease does not worsen further. Consult your doctor and follow the prescription religiously. It would most probably involve some topical creams to lessen the infection and itching followed by oral medication if the former fails to cure the problem.
Home treatment for scabies
Some people may not be able to tolerate the medicated treatment. They can surely benefit from home remedies which may lessen the constant itching and scabies.
Tea Tree Oil for Scabies Treatment
Tea tree oil is considered as an effective solution in this kind of infection. You can directly apply to the infected areas twice a day and get relief from severe itching. Alternatively, add 15 -20 drops of this oil in warm water and use it for bathing. This oil will also kill the mites and their eggs.
Neem
Another home remedy is to use neem in your treatment. Either you can use drops of neem oil while bathing or you can also opt for neem soap and neem lotion for relief. Neem as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that treat skin issues effectively.
The home remedies are safe and effective means for the treatment of scabies. Therefore do not delay anymore and get proactive to fight scabies.
Aloe Vera
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Aloe vera soothes the irritated and itchy skin without side effects and hence, suitable to treat scabies symptoms.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON SCABIES
Q. Can dirty linen cause scabies?
A. Mites responsible for scabies survive on human skin. These may temporarily live on bedsheets, mattresses, etc but without human contact, these die. The cause of scabies is not hygiene, so dirty linen cannot cause scabies.
Q. Are mites visible?
A. You cannot see mites with your eyes.
Q. Can scabies transmit from my pet?
A. No, mites of scabies thrive on human skin, not on pets.
Q. Is it hard to get rid of scabies?
A. It may take upto 4 weeks to get rid of all symptoms of scabies after the treatment. Crusted form of scabies are harder to treat and get rid of.
References-
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/