Scabies is a disease caused by a parasite called Sarcoptes scabiei that is attracted by the human body and that likes to live underneath the skin. Scabies used to be, and in some places it still is, a major problem in large institutions such as the army, where many people live together and if a single individual has scabies then most of the others will also get it because it is very contagious. The mite that causes scabies can be transmitted to others by simply touching an infected individual or by touching an object that was used by him/her, such as a towel or a piece of clothing. Furthermore, the mites that get in the clothes or sheets of those who have scabies can survive for four days without feeding, so you can get the infection by wearing something that was worn by someone with scabies a few days before too.

Another bad thing about scabies transmission is that the mites can get from one person to another even while they are still in the incubation period and the one that carries them does not even know that he/she has them, because the symptoms only appear after the incubation period passes. After the first symptoms appear the ones infected must be kept away from others because they can easily spread the disease.

If you are experiencing any of the scabies symptoms, which are red, itchy and irritated pimple-like spots that appear on the skin, and that itch more and more as days pass, you need to consult a doctor right away. Most doctors can easily recognize scabies just by looking at the infected areas, but usually they take a sample from the surface of the skin and examine it under the microscope to make sure that the scabies mites are causing it.

After the diagnose treatment must begin soon, before the mites spread, because the females lay eggs under the skin, and you can find yourself in a situation where you have hundreds of mites on your skin.

Conventional scabies treatment is done with the help of some creams and lotions that have to be applied on the entire skin and kept there for a few hours. Doctors advise not to use these creams after a bath or shower, when the skin is wet and it can absorb the cream. In order for the lotion to kill the mites you need to apply it daily until the mites are dead, and one or two weeks after to prevent any mites that come from eggs to appear. The red irritation will still be present after the mites die, because the skin is irritated until the dead bodies of the mites disappear too.

Others prefer a natural treatment for scabies. Manuka oil is said to be the most effective. It can kill the mites and reduce the irritation and itching in short time. The oil must be applied on the entire skin surface and kept there for a few hours if possible.

Other scabies natural treatments are extracts of echinacea, violet leaves, garlic, hypericum oil, onion skins, and aloe vera. Aloe vera extract is effective in greatly reducing the rash and itching.

Whether you choose a natural treatment for scabies or a conventional one, always ask your doctor first.