Natural Approaches for Scabies: Exploring Effective Remedies

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0012079

I've had scabies before, thought they were just mosquito bites at the time as I'd never heard of scabies. after a week of not going to doc or being diagnosed, the mites had a chance to multiply so it got pretty bad. finally went to doc, got permethrin cream and did that 2x, but lived in the hell of wrapping everything in plastic, not sleeping at night due to the itching, constantly laundry, etc. in between the permethrin cream dosages (a week apart, I believe), I did clove oil after doing tons of online research and learning of the australian study that said clove oil diluted kills even permethrin resistant scabies in 15 minutes. I wasn't taking any chances, so I used clove oil diluted with grapeseed oil, wasn't sure of dosage to use at the time, and still used permethrin. after 2nd treatment of permethrin (which made me feel dizzy, I later heard it's a neurotoxin and poisonous to cats but I wouldn't deter a human from using it! ) they were all gone. also was told that you couldn't get scabies from dogs, and I now know that is incorrect. Dogs can have mange, and you can get it - scabies. I am an animal caretaker.

Anyway, so that scabies was cured almost a year ago. then a few nights ago, I started itching. I knew what it was right away. it started in my pelvis, and that's where it started last time. no way in heck was I going to wait to go to doc, I knew what it was and wanted to kill those buggers ASAP. I took 100% clove oil and grapeseed oil and mixed them in a bowl- in the ratio of 3 Tablespoons grapeseed oil and one tablespoon clove oil, mixed and applied all over my body. I love the smell. I had to go to the Er for something else (really rough week ha! ) and the doc was like wow, it doesn't even look like scabies. We knew it was because of one burrow. I said, wow, maybe clove oil really did kill them all! (She also confirmed you CAN get it from dogs.) I've been applying the clove/grapseed oil mix twice a day and putting diatomaceous earth on the bed. I can't guarantee they are gone for sure, I guess I need more time to do that, but this scabies experience is nothing like last time. I am not up all night scratching, not scratching at all. I already have giant plastic bags at my house. if you want to cover your bed in plastic, get that stuff at the dollar store, save yourself some money. instead of going crazy washing everything I am just storing them in giant Ziplock bags for 3 days so the scabies dies.

Anyway you can get 100% clove oil for cheap on the internet, as well as grapeseed oil. I am always going to keep them in stock now because with all these dogs, it looks like I may be getting it a lot.

If you read the scientific literature on scabies, it is generally cured with one dose of Ascabiol or benzyl benzoate.

E.g.: Landegren, J. et al. Treatment of scabies with disulfiram and benzyl benzoateemulsion: a controlled study.

In a double-blind study, 38 adults with scabies were treated with the scabicide Tenutex (a proprietary aqueous emulsion containing 0.5% DDT, 2% disulfiramand 22.5% benzyl benzoate) and 42 patients were treated with a similar emulsion lacking DDT. The treatment consisted of a single whole-body (except for the head) application which was washed off after 24 hours. When examined 3 weeks later, both groups were completely cured. Thereafter, a further 35 patients took part in an open trial with the DDT-free Tenutex emulsion and allpatients were cured, irrespective of whether the treatments were administeredby skilled personnel or by themselves at home. It is concluded that for the treatment of scabies in Sweden, the most commonly used preparation, Tenutex, can be replaced, without risk of loss of efficacy, by an emulsion containing 2% disulfiram and 22.5% benzyl benzoate, I.e. Tenutex without DDT.

Personally, I'm using clove bud oil. After 3 days most of my itching has gone, and many mites have died and surfaced through my skin. Clove kills the mites, but apparently not (all) the eggs, so I'll keep applying it for 6-8 weeks till the breeding cycle is over. As for fanatically laundering and hot-drying your clothing and bedding daily, spraying your entire house daily (including the ceilings! ), etc: Why? The literature is clear that scabies mites survive 24-36 hours only off the human body: "Human and canine scabies mites are capable of surviving for 24–36 hours at room temperature and retain the ability to re-establish infestation. Canine mites dislodged from a host respond to host odour and thermal stimuli by actively seeking their source. Despite the detection, survival and penetrative abilities of S scabiei when kept at room temperature, the role of contaminated bedding as a reservoir for infestation appears to be overemphasised. For example, in experiments where volunteers climbed into warm beds just vacated by heavily infected patients, only four new cases resulted from 272 attempts." (Google it.) Yes, you do need to treat scabies. Yes, you do need to wash your clothes and bedding - or abandon them for a few days to let the mites die.

John

After battling scabies for nearly a year-including several rounds of doctor-prescribed meds, assorted veterinary medicines, and miscellaneous home remedies that did not work, I discovered the clove BUD oil remedy study. I started the test myself by ordering a few bottles of clove BUD oil (which is what the study used) and set out for a cure. In the meantime, my relative continued using another remedy.

Instead of mixing the clove with oil (which I found was messy, created even more of a laundry mess, and became a hazard when bathing), I mixed the clove bud oil with a THIN moisturizing lotion for extra-dry skin that I found at a dollar store.

I poured a half-bottle of the lotion into a margarine tub (later I used an extra bottle) and added about 20-30 drops of the clove oil. I shook it well and allowed it to sit for several hours before applying. I then showered and thoroughly exfoliated--and then I applied this clove-lotion blend from toes to neck (and ALL crevices in between! ) while the body was still damp. I then air-dried--no toweling off! The body MUST be covered with the lotion 24-7. The clove bud oil is not only a natural repellant, it also penetrates the skin surface and hair follicles, so you want to keep as much of it on your body as possible at all times.

(HUGE TIP: While you are undergoing this treatment, apply the lotion after each shower--preferably twice each day, including before bed. DO NOT CHANGE CLOTHES ANYWHERE EXCEPT IN TUB OR SHOWER! Bag and tie dirty clothes immediately until washed.)

And regardless of what the "books" say, scabies DO infest the hair-and will actually burrow into hair follicles. Always apply shampoo to dry hair--and leave on as long as possible before rinsing. THEN apply a thick conditioner (add a little clove oil) and cover your head with a plastic shower cap. Sleep in it--and rinse out in the a. M. I was desperate enough to put the clove lotion on my head as well--slept in a plastic cap--and got quick results in eliminating the critters there.

I used a Q-tip with straight clove bud oil on any tracks or visible signs of the infestation. If I felt something crawling, I applied either straight clove oil to an extended area of the "crawling" or applied an additional coating of the lotion. (If you have a strong magnifying glass, check areas where there are tracks and where you have applied straight clove bud oil. You will see gas bubbles just beneath the skin indicating the critters and eggs are dead or dying.)

I also coated brows, lashes, nostrils, and ears with petroleum jelly before bed every night--and, if facial skin could tolerate it, also applied the clove bud lotion to the face.

Within a couple of days, the mites were running for cover. If you did not start out with the critters in the "private areas" previously, they will make a bee-line to escape the lotion now and you will feel them in the crease of the legs, waist areas, buttocks, etc. In fact, our experience taught us that you may not THINK you have them there--but you do. We used a slightly diluted lotion on those sensitive areas (even added a little diatamaceous earth to the lotion in the beginning to increase adhesion of the lotion. ) It's important to keep the area coated at all times in the beginning. The sudden surge in itching and crawling told me that had been a hiding place for quite a while and nights were a bit uncomfortable until I got a handle on them.

Within 2 weeks, there was a noticeable decrease in numbers and life became more bearable. I felt comfortable enough with the progress to encourage my relative to also begin the treatment. She was suffering a far more serious infestation because she was the one initially infected. She declined and continued on with her own remedies, still desperate.

By the end of the month, I knew I was on the right track and INSISTED that she start using my "home remedy. " She did--and had the SAME astounding results within 2 weeks! The relief was so tremendous that I couldn't tear her away from continuing the experiment!

It took time because the infestations were so advanced, but within 3-4 months, we were confident enough to declare ourselves CURED. Not "sorta" or "kinda" cured--but cured! I could finally put bed linen back on the bed and sleep without being tormented.

Still, I continued with the scrupulous laundry/sanitation practices we'd been using to ensure no critters had escaped, including treating the car with permethrin spray created by mixing 1 tube of a 45% "spot on" over-the-counter flea and tick solution with 1 cup of water. This was misted on the car from top to bottom about once each 2 weeks, along with frequent vacuuming. This remedy came as the result of spraying borax in the vehicles--which quickly corroded metal parts. (CAUTION: DO NOT USE PERMETHRIN ON FURNISHINGS OR CARPET IF YOU HAVE CATS--IT CAN BE FATAL! )

We also discovered that hot water washing was not necessary and that alone resulted in huge energy savings. A cold-water soaking in any detergent for several hours or preferably overnight, along with 1-2 cups of ammonia in the soak water, worked better than borax or other recommended remedies and did not damage clothes. This is highly recommended for your bed linens and towels. We continued 30 minutes to 1 hour high-heat drying to be on the safe side.

We also discovered that you must remove and soak in hot soapy water any earrings, jewelry, eye glasses, combs, hair brushes, and other items after wearing or using them ONCE. Let them soak at least an hour, then rinse and air dry. Scabies will set up house in hinges and nooks of these items. During the duration of the treatment, I gave up wearing a watch as well.

Freeze all makeup, wallets, purses, belts, makeup bags EVERY DAY. Wash and then freeze makeup brushes each time they are used, including removing brushes from mascara before freezing. Books and magazines should be put in plastic bags with a few mothballs--or freeze them. Cell and home phones, remotes, etc. , should be cleaned every day with germicidal wipes--and wash and freeze the cell phone covers as well. This may seem to be overboard, but ANYTHING you carry or touch can spread the critters.

If I can warn against anything, it is giving up too soon and jumping from one remedy to another in hope of faster results. Remember, you are having to eliminate the entire life cycle of generations of these critters that have already infested your body. It's going to take time to eliminate them all, because new ones are constantly maturing. We saw a change within 2 weeks--and then it began improving drastically from that point. We stuck with the regimen--and it worked when nothing else we tried did.

I would strongly encourage anyone struggling with this terrible infestation to at least give it a try--and stick with it for at least a month! It works!

3/4 tsp clove oil mixed with 4 TBS olive oil

(Be careful: I made a too-potent blend and burned my skin, and the healing process was maybe even worse than the scabies! But at the 6% ratio I note above, I had no problem.)

I followed the protocols suggested in many of the postings here for laundry, bedding, bathing and general disinfecting. MMS bath 3x/day, followed by application of the clove/olive oil mixture (I also used almond and coconut oils). Apply it ALL over your body, even if you only see signs of scabies on your arm, e.g. also, I used a Q-tip and applied the undiluted oil directly onto the "bump" (I didn't put the undiluted oil on my uninfested skin).

I had scabies for over a year and by the time I tuned in to clove oil, they ranged from my ankles up to my chin! (I don't suppose details of my long mind-deranging ordeal are necessary, just imagine.)

If you want more information re the protocols I used (and helpful info from others), you can find them on Amazon.com under "Dermisil for Scabies, " 3-star review by Jennifer. As you might guess, I am not recommending this product, but it's where I first started out and because scabies are sooo horrible, I gave as much info as I could during my ordeal in order to be helpful to others.

Eternal (and I mean this) thanks to lorisayshey from San Diego (under the heading Citrus Mouthwash, 8/18/11) and Cathrine from Perth, Western Australia (under the heading Clove Oil, 8/28/11) for posting the link to the Australian study of the effects of clove oil on permethrin-resistant scabies. The link is:

http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0012079

I have been cured of scabies for about 4 months now and feel obliged to enlighten every suffering human being of the secret. Two Words: CLOVE OIL. It can be purchased from any type of natural food store including whole foods, or online. When using it, you should probably dilute it in another type of oil, I used jojoba oil. So probably about 1 drop of clove per 2 teaspoon of jojoba. Mix it up. Rub this mixture all over the body and leave on for 15-30 minutes. Shower and make sure you have washed all of your linens and clothes beforehand with SPECIFIC DETERGENT. BORAX. ADD at least a cup and a half of borax to each load of laundry and make sure you have cleaned everything in your home or you will be reinfected. You may feel the scabies coming out or literally freaking out on your skin, like I did. They came out of tiny wholes and pretty much looked like they were suffering and eventually stopped moving after 20 minutes which is when I showered. It took me a few times to completely get rid of them, so don't feel hopeless if it doesnt work the first time. BUT IT WORKS! It took me approximately 4-5 days to completely rid them and I'm glad I did. Hopefully you guys will take my advice and no longer suffer. G-d Bless!

If one can work up to a high mix of clove oil which feels like a burning sensation, and leave this on for 15 minutes and wash off after, it will promtly kill all mites.