Natural Approaches for Scabies: Exploring Effective Remedies

1. Wash with coconut milk soap. After I shower rinse my body with 3 or 4 cups of (half a cup of salt in water and a cup of apple cider vinegar) mix and then I air dry (sleep like a baby).

2. In the morning rub Tea Tree oil on wait 20 minutes and rub Coconut Hair Dressing on in the morning.

3. Wash your hair with Denorex and then Coconut shampoo. Lastly rinse your hair with the same mix above (do not rinse it out- leave it in your hair - the vinegar smell will go away). Style your hair however you like after that.

I hope it helps someone.

I am at my ropes end. As ya'll know I fought cancer and defeated that by natural means. I have fought demodex mites and they finally hit the trail. I am now doing a bout with a different kind of mite and this bugger is about to get the best of me. I went to an orthopedic doctor in Chattanooga about a month ago and he told me that my arthritic Knee was about a 5 on the scale of 10 and I would have to suffer through it. He gave me a Nisaid gel and when I used it, all heck broke loose.

It turned loose all the mites that I have harbored for a period of time. Since then the scabies has spread over my entire body and Bill and Ted's remedies are of little use. They are taking a knife to a gun fight. I have tried all the Big Pharma stuff and now am into double that and into the Farm Co-op stuff for your horses and that is twice the strength of what a doctor would give you. At 76, I have been down some dusty roads, but this is one of the most interesting.

When you read about what folks say who have these devils, you kind of laugh. Get these buggers and you will appreciate what they are going through. I am going to my family doctor Monday but he won't know dip sheet. I have been on the internet for two weeks and now I am going to the second strongest insecticide that you can use and still not die. My next insecticide is Malathion, and that will be from my garden stuff and not from Big Pharma. I will kill these mites and then detox from the insecticide that I had to use. In the old days they called this , the seven year itch, and now I know why it was called that. This itch will put you into a tall pine tree.

So when you read a cry from someone wanting help, don't laugh, but just be thankful that these things have not hit you yet.

I am an old Chemical Engineer and I know the dangers of insecticides , but I am convinced that is the only hope for this problem. It may be stupid, but it is not as stupid and chemo and radiation for cancer. Now, that is double stupid.

Wish me luck and if my radical stuff works I'll get back to you. Your ole wore out buddy.... ROBERT HENRY...

Heres the cure:

1.CLEAN WITH WARM SOAP AND WATER

2. APPLY PEROXIDE TO AFFECTED AREA

3.APPLY AN ANTI-ITCH CREAM (allow time to penetrate skin)

4..........................................................

......THEN APPLY WHITENING TOOTHPASTE TO AREA!

I know this sounds crazy! But after doing this for 3 days the symptoms associated with the 'scabies bug' ceased! The itch is gone, the healing happens rapidly, and I can sleep at night again!

After you've applied the toothpaste to the area, be sure to leave it on until the next day. Wash it off with warm water and soap. Re-apply at night and follow process for a few days. You'll be amazed at the results!

After going to the doctors numerous times for them to prescribe me.... Cures...... which never worked and cost me a fortune, this is a cheap cure for scabies!

Let me think about the costs....hmm...

Permethrin Cream..$120

toothpaste......$3

Permethrin is crap and costly! Doctors know nothing! They pump you full of drugs to see which works best!

This is a cure for me...... Toothpaste........ A whitening paste! You have a cool, tingling sensation after applying it, and sleep like hound dog!

Try it and add comments to this lovely and 'cheap cure for scabies'!!!!!!

"Researchers tested the clove oil, nutmeg oil and ylang ylang oil on two different types of mites in the laboratory to see how many died from contact with the oils.

'We tested the oils on the mites, and found that clove oil killed all the mites within 15 minutes'."

"The importance of this research is that the scabies mite has become increasingly resistant to current treatments, especially in Northern Australia where scabies is common. Our research aims to identify naturally occurring compounds that can combat scabies and prevent resistance from occurring."

In my opinion it needs to be diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut oil before applied to the body (we tried to stay at the 6% strength that was mentioned in the article to being 100% effective in killing both normal scabies as well as scabies that have built up a resistance to permethrin, within 15 minutes).

Up until now we've been using borax & hydrogen peroxide baths twice a day, neem oil and tea tree in coconut oil and applied after the baths, DE (Diatomaceous earth) and borax on the carpets and DE on the car seats, plus washing everything in borax and hot water and changing clothes after each bath, clean clothes in bags, dirty clothes in separate bags until washed (all remedies learned thanks to this site! ).

I just read about the research on Clove Oil today so that has been added to our coconut oil as of now. Not sure when we will know when the scabies are finally gone, have been at it for 9 days now, will give it a couple of days with the Clove Oil just to be sure. Does anyone know if these remedies will actually sink into the skin and kill the female mite? Or will it just kill the babies as they hatch from the eggs and come to the surface?

I hope this helps!

After reading ALL posts in this forum I decided to try Borax w/H2O2. I made my bath with very hot water and added a cup of each and soaked for approx. 20 minutes. In a matter of minutes my skin stopped itching. My infestation is severe. I have a rash across my abdomen, my chest my entire back, buttocks elbows, inside and out.. Upper arms, upper things and back of my knees. I actually sat in the tub crying because I actually felt relief for the first time in 2 weeks. This disease has taken its toll on me, depriving me of sleep as many of you already know how it keeps us awake at night.

Once my skin air dried My husband applied the clove oil ( we mixed it with mineral oil, and he mixed it way to strong as it burned to the point I needed to wash it off) He is at the store now to buy more mineral oil. Its been an hour since my bath and I am itch free, my rash has even lightened up in color to a pinkish, instead of RED.

He sprinkled the Borax on the carpet (we removed our dog and cat).. Letting it sit for an hour and then vacuum it thoroughly. We plan on bleaching everything we can once he returns home, washing all bed linens and clothing.

I plan on keeping an update to this forum on my battle of this nasty pest. I hope my post provides testimony to anyone who is skeptical of using non-prescribed treatments.

Thank you again to all who posted this remedies, and god bless.

The silica powder, DE, just cannot accomplish the job, yet I go back to it over and over. Bleach has dessicated my skin... so there's that right along with the burrowing itch! Torment, torment, driving me to the edge.

Shocking to read of bleach or clove oil working for some and yet not for me.

It breaks my heart to think of children itching that bad.... if adults are unable to stand it - nearly going mad, ohhhh the children.

I'd like to read up on its life cycle: if we walk here, there in the house would it be their eggs we pick up on shoes/feet? How long can an egg on floor survive? Does the adult fall from our bedding and stay alive without me, the host, for days, weeks?

The Lab People who have had to get so up-close to do the studying - didn't they get the heebeejeebies figuring there's no way they're not going to get infected? Brave souls...

So I found this forum while looking for over the counter cures. I did some bleach baths, which seemed to help, but definately did not cure me. I then did the borax and Hydrogen peroxide baths, which worked perfectly. The results were immediate and compelling, but I did daily baths for a few days. I didn't want to take chances, so I did a few more baths over the next three weeks just in case I got reinfected from clothing or something, because I had not taken the time to steralize everything. I have been scabie free for about 8 months now. I feel much better about soaking in borax than rubbing permethrine cream all over my body. I believe borax is much safer, but I am not a doctor. I wish all doctors had the knowledge an honest to give out this proven cure.

1. Buy the Kleen Green big gallon 128oz so that you can soak and spray your environment.

2. Buy 20 mule borax or any other borax to soak clothes for 15 minutes, add a touch of kleen green too and then wash and dry on high heat.

3. Buy a scrub cloth to scrub your body.. u can also get sulfur soap if u like.

4. Get some diacotomus earth and put on your carpet the proper way... Check instructions first as this thing is very dusty, my vacuum turned white once I tried to vacuum. So check instructions on proper use and get dust mask if needed.

5. Be positive and say an affirmation everyday like healing and health is my birth right... Or everyday in everyway I am getting better and better. Say a prayer every morning and night, there is a spiritual aspect to this I believe.

6. Drink teas that detoxify your body, or find a way to detoxify your body and do not eat junk food at all...!

7. Thats it... U will be cured within a week or 2 if you are diligent. Also checkout scabies killer.com as they have an oil formula that is effective, or if u like just buy what they are offering as it is what I have figured out through trial and error and research online... They have a money back guarantee... So thats a nice thing :)... Ur choice... Also try the above at your own, risk... I dont want u to sue me for trying to help you...

Then about 6 weeks after their visit, I started to notice itchy bumps on my stomach. I freaked out. I found this website and scoured it for natural remedies due to the fact that I did NOT want to use the prescription cream while pregnant. I had read many facts online about how it hadn't been tested thoroughly on pregnant women to have a definite answer as to whether it was completely safe (although the doctor said it was... I didn't believe him). I take my pregnancies very seriously and did not want to cause any harm to my unborn baby. My husband and daughter never showed any signs of scabies but we had them use the cream anyways as a precautionary. Here is what I did for a natural cure for myself:

1. I took a bath 2-3 times a day in hot water for 20 minutes with 1 1/2 cups Borax and 1 1/2 cups hydrogen peroxide. Sometimes I added a cup of citrus mouthwash.

*Before getting into the bath I put my dirty clothes in a plastic bag and had my new clean clothes ready on the counter.

2. While in the bath I scrubed borax mixed with a bit of water in a small cup all over my body (like a body scrub) then washed off.

3. I drained the bathwater then took a shower. I used Selsun Blue dandruff shampoo on my head because of the sulfur it has.

4. I got out of the shower and air dried.

5. I used a 6 oz. Water bottle and filled it with 1/3 borax, 1/3 hydrogen peroxide, and 1/3 warm water (to dissolve the Borax). Then I sprayed it over my entire body then air dried.

6. I used a mixure in a bottle of 10 drops Tea Tree Oil, 10 drops Neem Oil, and 10 drops Clove oil, and filled the rest of the small bottle with Olive oil (as a carrier oil to not irritiate my skin). I rubbed it all over my body generously.

7. I put on my clean clothes and immediately wiped up the shower with disinfectant wipes and bathroom cleaner. I took the bag of dirty clothes and towel to the laundry room.

8. Every morning I stripped the bed linens first thing and put them in plastic bags. I put them in the washing machine with hot water, detergent, and 1/2 cup Borax, then dried on high heat. (I also used vinal plastic mattress covers under the linens so I could just wipe them down with disinfectant wipes.)

9. I never wore the same thing twice (and I didn't let my husband or daughter either). I was constantly washing something all day long. I washed blankets and hand towels, pillows, you name it.

10. Anything I didn't need immediately and was too difficult to wash I bagged up and put in the garage for about a week.

11. I sprinkled Borax all over the carpets, let sit for an hour, then vacuumed up. (I only did this once, but vacuumed daily.)

12. I disinfected the bathrooms, kitchen, doornobs, light switches, computer keyboards and mouse as much as possible.

13. I tried not to wear a coat or mittens or hat when going places so I had less to wash.

14. I used a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and warm water to spray all over the furniture, then vacuumed.

15. I prayed every minute of the day for strength and courage to keep pressing on even when I was tired.

After a few days of this regiment my itchy spots vanished. I continued for about a week for good measure. (I also had my husband and daughter take baths every day with 10 drops Tea Tree Oil).

The only problem I had was I kept finding tiny pin prick spots on my body (looked like teeny drops of blood). I freaked out thinking I was getting more scabies even though the bigger itchy spots were gone. The dermatologist assured me that those pin prick spots were blood vessels due to hormonal changes in my pregnant body. These could easily be confused with tiny scabies dots- so I was relieved to find out they were natural and no problem.

I will never know for sure if my itchy spots were scabies or not, but I for SURE did not want to risk it. All the hassle and stress was worth it to me if I caught scabies in the early stages.It was very stressful for me as a pregnant women worrying about my baby and finding natural methods to help. I hope this post helps any pregnant woman out there who thinks she may have scabies or any other type of mite!

I also started drinking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in hot water with honey 2-3 times a day for good measure. I read it helps to balance the PH of the body (making you an unwanted host for a parasite) and has many other health benefits (like bowel movement regularity). I also stopped eating junk food and more fresh fruits and veggies.

For anyone dealing with scabies, I sympathize with you greatly. It stressed me out so much and no one can understand the emotional torment you go through in this situation. God bless you!

He started scratching before me. In the beginning we thought it was because he had his hair cut the day the "itch" began. Once he showered and attempted to settle down for bed the itch became more intense. I assumed he had an allergy to something and gave him Benadryl. That night he was miserable after the Benadrly wore off and I slept like a baby. 3 days later I started to itch. I had red whwelts around my waist and buttocks. He only had red bumps on his arm and the small of his back.

When my Doctors office was open that next morning, I was the first in line. He diagnosed us as having scabies and prescribed permethrin for us both. IT DID NOT WORK! Second application DID NOT WORK!

So I hit the web, stumbled across Earth Clinic and began researching treatments for these evil mites... We have suffered 4 weeks with of lack of sleep and we cut off the connection with family and friends in fear the too may be infected with our unwanted critters.

I would recommend to anyone that has Scabies to try the Borax Soak- With all of the hair brained things we have tried this was the only that showed any progress for success... 3 cups borax, 2 cups epsom salt, 2 cups hydrogen peroxide in the hottest bath that you can tolerate. Soak for 30 mins. Do not rinse, pat dry and apply clear fingernail polish to the bumps. My theory was it would suficate them. We repeated this soak twice a day for 7 days. At the present we are on the road to recovery...(fingers crossed) I only have old bumps that have now dried and are fading and my hubby has 2 red angry whelts along with older bumps drying and fading. This is a far cry better than the HUNDREDS of spots, bumps, whelts, patches and brusing (from scratching)We will continue to do this soak every other day forever or until we have had zero break outs and all spots are healed for at lease 2 weeks.

Please keep in mind... I had our home sprayed and carpets cleaned along with wearing all clothing once and washing clothing asap in hot water and borax.

As for the occasional itch we use hand sanitizer. It cools the spot and we think it slows or kills the mites. I will admit that I have developed a mental issue with this ordeal. I fear that they will never go away fully. Everytime I feel anything crawly or itchy I automatically assume we were defeated again by the evil mites.... This is by far one of the most horrible experience of my life.

Good luck to all with this horrible illness. I pray that you find relief. I will follow up in soon to relay our progress. Happy Holidays, Genny

I'm no expert, but from how you describe the mites as looking like long grains of white rice, but smaller, it sounds like head lice. The bleach you uses on your hair would kill the live lice, but not the lice eggs, so they would hatch and start the infestation all over again. You could use the lice killer shampoo from over the counter, but that exposes your body to toxins. I use a thick conditioner, slather it all over my scalp, wrap hair in plastic wrap, leave on for at least 12 hours, then use the little lice comb (can be picked up at pharmacy), and comb the eggs out. The problem with head lice is the lice are easy to kill, but the eggs just keep on living, unless removed from hair entirely. The eggs are incased in a glue sack that nothing over the counter or otherwise seem to desolve. From my experience, the conditioner sufficates the live ones, and makes the eggs detach from the hair follical more easily. I use the comb everyday for at least 3 days (as in put the conditioner back in your hair like you would after a shampoo), then comb them out. I repeat the whole process(conditioner plus plastic wrap)one week later incase I missed any eggs that might hatch. You will easily be able to see the eggs in the conditioner once they are combed out of the hair. Just smear the contitioner residue (from the comb) on a white paper towel, and you will be able to see the eggs. They appear to be black or dark tan with a tiny stalk on the end of them. They look similar to a poppy seed, but much smaller. As a rule scabies (at least in adults) do not effect the face or scalp. That occurs mostly on babies, or small children. I hope this helps. It can't hurt to try it. If nothing else, your hair will get a deep condition...

After 4 weeks of uncomfortable itching all over, I finally figured out that I had scabies. I decided to try the hydrogen peroxide and borax remedy posted on this site and it worked like a charm. I did have to soak in a bath of hot water, hydrogen peroxide (1 bottle) and 2 laundry scoops of the borax for two days, 30 minutes each soak. Then the next two days I didn't have time for baths so I just scrubbed borax all over while I was in the shower. I scrubbed for a good 10 minutes. I now just have slight itching in a couple of areas and I will continue to scrubb with borax until the itching is gone. This whole rememdy cost me $4 and I didn't have to go to the doctor for that pesticide cream. Yea for this site.

Even with a bleach bath (or any other treatment that people say failed), we have to look at what amount of bleach is used in a tub of water.

Right drug/treatment (chlorine bleach or non-chlorine bleach) Some have used non-chlorine bleach as well with good results as it releases hydrogen peroxide into the water and kills the mites

Dose: (two cups in a full tub of water, but make sure to pour the bleach liquid or powder into the water so it mixes thoroughly and dissolves (if powder) before you get in. That applies to essential oils, borax, epsom salts as well. This way, the solution is dilute enough to avoid harming the skin by having too strong a solution (or oil) on the skin initially. No need to be harsh to the skin (even with bleach that is thought to be harsh; it will be like strong pool water and should not burn the skin; if there are many scabies and it's a first treatment, you will feel where they are as they succumb).

Timing: in this treatment involves how long one stays in the bath. That should be as long as you can up to an hour, but at least 30 minutes. And the interval: daily for a few days at least.

Some suggest leaving the bleach on the skin and air drying. Others have rinsed off after the bath and dried, and then applied something soothing: as bleach can really dry out the skin, an excellent way to soothe the skin while continuing to treat is to use aloe vera juice with a few drops each of essential oils (there are many variations. One is clove, cedarwood, and rosemary. Others like clove and tea tree or orange. Whatever is convenient. Neem oil is excellent.)

The route is topical as the bath water covers the skin and the treatment (non-chlorine or chlorine bleach) penetrates to kill the mites.

If too little (of any treatment) is used, then it won't work. How do you know you have scabies? Aside from the intense itching felt to be from within the skin, and piercing bites there, one can look for bumps on the skin. If you don't see any bumps, take the bath and soak for a while and feel the skin surface all over. Any bumps even on the bottom of feet or on the fingers should be inspected. If there are a few in a row, that is indicative of scabies tracks made. These are actually holes in the surface of the skin that appear as bumps but when soaked for a while the holes can be detected/felt.

In a bleach bath (or other treatment using essential oils, epsom salts/borax in a bath) you will see tiny specks. Those are the scabies mites that died and left ... so you then know the treatment is working.

Here is my cure:

Bed bug spray EVERYTHING -- it has permetherin in it. If you have it in your scalp use CVS 1% Lice shampoo.

Shower every night as hot as you can stand it, dry off and spray with water and bleach solution.

Spray the bed with bug spray, get in bed. Leave Window open to circulate air, fumes I am sure are not good for you.

Wake up, shower and scrub gently with a KITCHEN (yes, I said KITCHEN scrub pad to remove dead skin, and dead Scabies and whatever they leave behind), spray again. Spray everything with bug spray and bleach/water solution - wash everything daily.

After a few days you should see sign of improvement.

This has ruined my summer 2011; I have been in despair... So down over it. Cost $$$ and I have had it since the beginning of May... it's now August.

I have red marks all over my chest and upper legs, and some inside my arms. But it gets better.

God knows what all these chemicals are doing to my body, but I was desperate, I am hoping I am through the worst of it now.

Don't give up!