Scabies or Human Itch is a contagious skin infection caused by a mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis (Hering), found in many households. It causes itchy bumps and blisters due to the egg laying process by the female mite. As she tries to burrow its way on your skin it causes small lesions which develop into an irritating rash. Anyone can be infected by these mites as they are found world over. Scabies are at home in crowded and damp places. The increased number of people just makes things easier for this infection to spread. Some of the common places of abundant growth are hospitals, nursing homes, institutions, hostels and similar areas. The skin-to-skin contact, sharing of clothes, bedding or towels just helps this disease to grow.



The most common egg-laying places on your body are on sides of your finger, between the fingers, on the back of your hands, wrists, heels, elbows, armpits, inner thighs and around your waist line. If this egg-laying process is not stopped the female mite may continue to lay egg for next five weeks which can be very dangerous. People who have a weak immune system fall victim to this condition. You suffer intense itching in night which covers most parts of your body. You develop these symptoms within 4-6 weeks of infestation. These cannot be seen with naked eyes but with the help of a magnifying glass. It can be transmitted sexually too. There are some over-the-counter creams which can be applied to get rid of this problem. But it would be advisable to treat all people who have come in contact with this person at the same time to prevent any emergence of this condition.

Self-Care Measures

Once you know that you are infected with Scabies you can try a Sauna and get yourself washed with lice shampoo

To prevent any further infestation get all your clothes, towels, bedding laundered

Keep checking yourself every couple of months to prevent infestation

Keep fingernails cut short for infants who may try to spread the condition unknowingly

Avoid treating scabies with hard soaps, kerosene, laundry and detergent

Chemicals like permethrin, Benzyl benzoate emulsion, Malathion, and Sulfur are also used commonly for treating this infestation.

Home Remedies for Scabies

You can apply fresh juice of apricot leaves over the infected area to get rid of this problem

You can also make neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf paste with equal quantity of turmeric powder mixed with mustard oil. Apply this paste on the infected area for an hour followed by a bath. Continue this procedure for 7 to 10 days till the lesions are no more.

The dried bark of peepul tree (Sacred Fig Ficus religiosa) should be powdered finely and strained by using a fine strain. This should be used as dusting powder on the lesions.

Take out juice from 500 gm of drumstick leaves. Mix it with equal amount of sesame seed oil and bring it to boil till the water dries up. Store it in a cool place and apply it daily over the infected parts. With its anti-microbial properties the blisters can heal faster.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.