Bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy
Home Remedies For Scabies
Key takeawaysScabies rash is a skin condition caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. The mites burrow into your skin and cause itching and discomfort and the female mites lay eggs under the skin. A few days later, the eggs hatch, move to the skin surface and begin the cycle again. Scabies can cause:
A scabies infection will not go away without treatment, and it's highly contagious.
Many traditional treatments for scabies can cause side effects. If the mites develop resistance to these treatments, some infections do not respond to them. Some people decide to use natural home remedies to treat scabies.
If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any medical concerns, please check with your doctor before using any remedies.
Tea tree oil may be an effective topical treatment for scabies since it relieves itching and heals the rash on the skin. However, it doesn't work as well on the eggs deeper in the skin. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil to a squirt bottle and spray it on your bedding.
A 2022 review of studies suggests that tea tree oil is a promising treatment option for scabies, especially for cases that do not improve using typical treatments.
Though tea tree oil may effectively treat scabies in lab tests and in people, more large-scale, randomized controlled trials are needed. It is possible to be allergic to tea tree oil.
However, some people may develop allergic reactions to tea tree oil or other side effects. If you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop using the product.
Neem oil, soaps, and creams can be useful alternative treatments for scabies. They have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic properties.
Neem, at concentrations of 20% to 60%, can weaken the exoskeleton of scabies mites.
A 2021 study in pigs found that neem cured pigs of a scabies infection in 6 weeks, compared to 5 weeks with a conventional treatment.
Further studies are needed on humans and using larger sample sizes.
Aloe vera gel has a soothing, healing effect on sunburned skin. It can also alleviate itching and kill scabies. An older 2009 study found that aloe vera gel was as successful as benzyl benzoate (a common prescription treatment) in treating scabies. Researchers did not note any side effects.
This small study tested only 16 people with aloe vera, so larger sample sizes are needed. If you use aloe vera gel, ensure you're buying pure aloe vera gel without additives.
Cayenne pepper may relieve scabies pain. Some believe it can also kill the scabies mites, but scientific evidence is lacking.
The capsaicin in cayenne desensitizes the skin's neurons when applied topically.
However, always do a skin patch test before use. Some people may develop skin reactions.
Clove oil has antimicrobial, anesthetic, and antioxidant properties that contribute to its healing potential.
It's also an effective insecticide. A 2022 review of research notes that clove oil is effective in killing scabies and other mites, referencing laboratory tests that used scabies from pigs. Eugenol, a significant component of clove essential oil, can damage scabies mites' exoskeleton and gut.
However, more human studies are needed to demonstrate the full potential of these oils.
Though more research is needed, the following essential oils may help treat scabies:
Wash all bedding, clothes, and towels in hot water (122°F or 50°C) and dry them in a hot dryer.
You should seal Items that cannot be washed in plastic bags for at least three days.
If multiple people live in a home where an infection occurs, everyone should follow the same cleaning routine, regardless of whether they have scabies bites.
Do not expect to get rid of scabies rash immediately. It will take some time, and the itching may persist after as the rash starts to heal.
However, you may need to see a doctor if you still have symptoms after a few weeks of treatment.
A skin test can determine whether you have scabies. Your doctor may prescribe a cream to treat scabies. More serious cases may require prescription pills.
What is the fastest home remedy for scabies?
Research suggests that tea tree, neem, and clove oil may be effective in treating scabies, as they can damage the mites. However, they may not be effective for eggs deep in the skin.
Can I treat myself for scabies?
You may be able to treat scabies with home remedies, such as certain diluted essential oils, or over-the-counter medications. But if these remedies do not work, you may need doctor-prescribed medications to help you clear the infection.
What household cleaner kills scabies?
Will vinegar kill scabies?
Evidence does not suggest that vinegar can effectively kill scabies mites. To kill scabies mites on fabrics, you can wash them in hot water (122°F or 50°C) and dry them in a hot dryer.
To kill scabies mites on the skin, you can try over-the-counter medications, doctor-prescribed medications, or certain diluted essential oils, such as tea tree oil.
Scabies does not heal overnight. Your skin may feel itchy until the rash heals and you complete treatment for the infection.
Some essential oils, particularly tea tree, neem, and clove essential oils, may help treat a scabies infection. If your infection does not clear up, it's best to talk with a doctor about medical treatments, including topical and oral medications that may help.
Cleaning clothing, bedding, and mattresses may also help prevent re-infection.
Plague Of Highly Infectious Scabies Is Sweeping Britain, Spread By This Very Common Activity. Even Worse, The Skin Bugs Are Becoming Resistant To Drugs - But Here's How You Can ...
It was, says 48-year-old Andrea Dowden, 'one of the worst experiences of my life'.
The raised, red scabs, which seemed to appear overnight, covered the mother-of-two's body.
And then there was the itch – maddening, incessant and so bad she would wake up throughout the night 'scratching and scratching, although it didn't seem to help'.
Soon after, the marks appeared on her two children and her partner. Terrifyingly, the rash appeared to be spreading – covering more and more of their skin.
An appointment with her GP initially put Andrea's mind at rest.
The office worker and her family had fallen victim to an infestation of scabies –microscopic mites which burrow into the skin, causing intense itching.
Thankfully, the GP said, it was easily treated using a cream called permethrin. All the Dowden family apparently had to do was cover themselves in the lotion twice, and that should see off the mites.
In reality, it was not so simple.
Scabies and its eggs can live in bedsheets and towels, which can pass on the infection
Care home worker Courtney Loveland, 25, was repeatedly dismissed by doctors leaving her with an agonising rash that caused sleepless nights
Despite repeated rounds of permethrin, the scabies kept returning.
'I asked the GP if the scabies might be immune to the drug, but he said we must just be applying the lotion incorrectly,' Andrea told The Mail on Sunday.
'It felt like it would never end. We spent months in agony using a treatment that was clearly not working.'
For Andrea, perhaps as shocking as the experience of the infection itself was the realisation that her and her family's suffering had been entirely avoidable.
After researching scabies remedies online, Andrea learned about a tablet called ivermectin. Best of all, it was apparently available on the NHS.
But Andrea's GP said giving the family ivermectin was out of the question – it was a drug he knew little about and so did not prescribe it. Desperate, Andrea resorted to spending £600 on shipping a supply of the pills from Canada –which cured her family in a matter of weeks.
And worryingly, their case is far from unique. Reports of scabies have rocketed in recent months as infected patients fail to respond to usual treatments, providing further opportunities for the mites to spread.
In October, the British Association of Dermatologists warned that hospital cases were 'unusually high' and three times the five-year average.
They estimate three in 1,000 Britons – roughly 200,000 patients – have the infection. The rate is higher among ten- to 19-year-olds and the elderly, affecting five in every 1,000.
Scabies is spread by close skin contact with others, so often affects whole households as well as care home residents. It is also commonly passed on during sex – although it is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection.
The parasite and its eggs can also live in bedsheets and towels, which can pass on the infection. Symptoms typically begin three to six weeks after infection, but in a person who's had a prior infection they can occur as early as one to three days.
Diagnosing it can be tricky because the tell-tale red rash, which is typically seen in the skinfolds inside the elbow, knee, buttocks and between fingers and toes, can take months to appear. The rash can also spread across the body and might include 'trails' – visible lines under the skin where the mites have burrowed to lay their eggs.
Scratching these marks can exacerbate other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, and may lead to bacterial infections.
Those with weaker immune systems may be vulnerable to crusted scabies – a more severe form of the disease involving a higher density of mites.
For decades the first-line treatment has been permethrin, which is applied over the whole body, left for 12 hours and reapplied a week later to kill remaining eggs. But mounting evidence suggests scabies have built resistance to the drug, making the cream all but useless.
Experts warn that GPs are often unaware of this – and do not know that ivermectin, which still works, was approved as an NHS treatment in 2023.
Researchers are calling on doctors to follow NHS guidance and prescribe the drug to prevent the needless suffering of thousands.
It's a fact...Scabies patients usually have 15 to 20 mites on their body. Those with severe crusted scabies can have as many as one million.
Advertisement'Undoubtedly it would be better for patients if we were prescribing more ivermectin for scabies sufferers,' says Professor Michael Marks, an infectious disease expert at the London School of Hygiene and Infectious Medicine and chair of the International Alliance For The Control Of Scabies.
'The research has shown that it is incredibly effective, so we need to make sure pharmacies have stock and GPs are willing to prescribe it, because patients are currently being let down. We have the tools to treat scabies, so we need to start using them.'
Mites reproduce and evolve far quicker than humans. This means the more these organisms come into contact with a drug, the more likely it is that resistance will emerge.
Doctors have claimed that, in reality, it is 'pseudo resistance', as many do not follow guidance on how to apply permethrin, so think it doesn't work.
But a 2024 review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine concluded that 'permethrin-resistant scabies is an escalating threat'.
Social media forums are also awash with reports of untreatable cases – with sufferers resorting to natural remedies, including coating the body with coconut oil, that do not work.
Dr Tess McPherson, of the British Association of Dermatologists, says: 'We are seeing a rise not just in scabies but in difficult to treat scabies. We are now seeing patients that are having multiple courses of permethrin and, although application is sometimes a factor as they are not leaving it on for the full 12 hours, in others we are definitely seeing this as a result of resistance.'
Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medicine, became infamous during the Covid pandemic following claims by fringe medics that it might be a suitable treatment, and an alternative to vaccination, despite a lack of credible evidence.
The drug is routinely used in veterinary medicine, which is why it was sometimes referred to as 'a horse de-wormer'.
It is also routinely given to children and adults in mainland Europe and beyond to treat or prevent serious parasitic infections, including scabies. Patients have to take five tablets with food and then a second dose is given a week later to kill any hatched mites.
The treatment can kill the bug and its eggs, and may stop them returning for up to two years, studies have found.
Trials have shown, in a small number of cases, patients may suffer from side effects such as dizziness and a rash similar to the infection.
But Professor Marks says the negative press and discredited research during the pandemic is partly to blame for GPs' unwillingness to prescribe 'what is an incredibly safe and effective drug for scabies'.
NHS guidance instructs GPs to consider offering scabies patients ivermectin as well as permethrin. They can also be used together to boost effectiveness, it states. But patients speaking to the MoS say they have had to battle for months for the pills.
Courtney Loveland, 25, was repeatedly dismissed by doctors leaving her with an agonising rash 'in every crevice', from between her fingers and toes to in her buttocks, that caused sleepless nights.
The care home worker from Southampton says the itch 'was unbearable' and left her covered in blood after nights of scratching. At first, her GP failed to diagnose Courtney with scabies, instead telling her the cause of the rash was likely her washing powder or even an allergic reaction to her dog.
'It was really starting to affect my mental health, and I was struggling to get through the day because of how little sleep I was getting. It even hurt putting clothes on,' says Courtney. 'But I still couldn't get anyone to take me seriously.'
Eventually a specialist diagnosed her with scabies.
But that wasn't the end, as she was given permethrin and the scabs persisted. After going back and forth with her GP for six months, Courtney was finally prescribed ivermectin.
'It should not have taken so long to be treated,' she says. 'It really affected me and
my GP could have stopped it.'
GPs admit that, despite the change to NHS guidelines, they are reluctant to prescribe ivermectin.
'We tend to use permethrin or malathion, and that just comes down to our experience,' says Dean Eggitt, a Doncaster-based GP.
'Although ivermectin is a potential treatment, it is not one we would use regularly, so we would normally do this through a dermatologist.
'In NHS terms, the change is astonishingly new and it will take around five years or so for this to filter down into all practices.'
Researchers say this hesitance to prescribe the drug is unsurprising. 'Scabies is relatively common but a GP may still only see one or two cases a year and, as a result, doctors and pharmacies have not caught up with the change in guidance,' says Professor Marks. 'This is definitely a problem as it needs to be used more often.'
As well as prescribing ivermectin more, Dr McPherson warns that the key to battling the rise in infections is fighting the stigma associated with scabies. Many wrongly assume the infection is solely sexually transmitted or due to poor hygiene. As a result, they fail to get help, she says.
Anyone who thinks they may have scabies should visit their GP or pharmacist, who may be able to diagnose it just by examining the skin.
'The key is making sure everyone in the household
is treated at the same time, even if they aren't showing symptoms, to stop the spread,' says Dr McPherson.
Experts say the key to limiting the infection's impact is to visit a GP as soon as possible.
Doctors can prescribe a lotion such as permethrin, which is also available from pharmacists, or ivermectin.
To avoid re-infestation, all close contacts need to be treated at the same time – even if they do not have any symptoms.
This will include household members and sexual partners, but it may also mean those a person plays sports with or someone they care for.
Part of the rise in cases is because when treatment does not happen quickly, those who are asymptomatic can pass scabies on and even back to their original contact.
Online forums are full of people taking drastic measures, such as fumigating their house and burning items, but this is not necessary. In most cases, the mites will not survive long on bed linen, towels and clothes.
For this reason, all such items in the house should be washed at the same time as treatment.
This can be done using a standard washing machine setting. Any item that cannot be washed should be placed in sealed bags for three days.
After this period, the scabies will have died.
17 Causes Of Itchy Feet, Plus Treatments
There are several causes and treatments for itchy feet. Your feet may itch if you have a bacterial or fungal infection, come into contact with an allergen or irritant, or have dry skin. Some cases are mild, which you can easily treat at home. Others are the result of an underlying health condition, such as diabetes, kidney disease, scabies, or a thyroid condition.
Itchy feet are usually nothing more than annoying. However, there may be something else going on if you notice other symptoms like blisters, dry or scaly areas on the skin, or swelling. Itching sometimes occurs with bumps, dry skin, hives, and redness. The sensation may make you want to itch the bottoms and tops of your feet, as well as your heels and toes. This itchy feeling can also occur with no rash.
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection and a classic cause of itchiness. People commonly pick up the fungus by walking barefoot in places like gym locker rooms. You might get a red rash, or the athlete's foot can lead to itchy blisters and cracked or scaly skin.
Treatment: Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams and sprays can usually clear up an outbreak and keep the infection at bay. Continue treatment for one to two weeks after the infection goes away to ensure it does not return.
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) causes dry, itchy skin and rashes. This inflammatory skin condition can affect your feet, hands, and face, inside the elbows, and behind the knees. Eczema is not contagious, but it's long-lasting. You might notice that your eczema gets better or worse over time. Treatment: Treatments include medications, skin creams, ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, and good skincare. Avoid soaps, fabrics, lotions, or other triggers that irritate your skin. Psoriasis causes thick patches of red skin and silvery scales. This autoimmune condition can affect the soles of your feet, as well as your: Elbows Face Knees Lower back Scalp Treatment: Remedies may include creams and ointments, UV light therapy, and medications. It might help to avoid certain medicines, dry skin, infections, and stress as much as possible, as those triggers can cause psoriasis flares. You might experience itchy feet from pesky mosquitoes and other insects, depending on the season. Mosquito bites trigger an inflammatory reaction that releases histamine, a chemical that causes itchiness. Bug bites also bring on swelling, redness, and irritation. Treatment: An oral antihistamine, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or OTC anti-itch creams can help relieve bug bites. You can use ice or a cold compress to reduce inflammation. You're likely to have dry skin if you have a history of itchy skin conditions. Certain health conditions, like diabetes and kidney or liver disease, can also cause dry feet that itch. Dry skin on your feet can also be genetic. For example, ichthyosis is a group of skin conditions that causes mild to severe dry, itchy skin. Most people with ichthyosis inherit it from their parents. A gene mutation that causes your skin cells to grow and shed faster or slower than average causes ichthyosis. Treatment: Creams, lotions, and ointments help retain moisture and hydrate your skin to alleviate and prevent dryness. Those topical treatments work for ichthyosis, but some people might need an oral or topical prescription medicine. Microscopic mites that burrow into the top layer of your skin cause scabies, a skin condition. Adults with scabies can have itching and rash over limited areas or most of the body. In contrast, young children typically have scabies on their: Face Head Neck Palms of the hands Soles of the feet Some people with scabies develop a rash, sores, or thick, crusty areas. The itching is usually very intense and often worsens at night. Treatment: A healthcare provider can prescribe lotions to help treat scabies and relieve itchiness. They may advise that your close contacts also receive treatment to prevent scabies. Wash the infected person's bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer. An itchy rash on your feet could be contact dermatitis, a reaction to an allergen or irritant that touched your feet. Common contact dermatitis triggers include: Fabric or clothing material or dyes Fragrances from soaps or moisturizers Rubber or latex shoes Treatment: One of the best ways to treat and prevent contact dermatitis is to avoid contact with triggers. A healthcare provider might advise oral or topical medications, cool compresses, calamine lotion, or colloidal oatmeal baths. Certain medical conditions, like kidney disease, can lead to itchy hands and feet. Itchiness is usually a symptom of kidney disease in later stages. You may have itchy skin all the time or most of the time. Treatment: Medications, moisturizers, or UV light therapy can often alleviate itchiness. Talk to a healthcare provider about other kidney disease treatments. People with kidney failure need dialysis or a transplant to maintain kidney function. Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in the center of your neck. Dry skin is a common symptom of an underactive thyroid, and it might lead to itchiness. You may also have itchy skin with no rash or itchy hives that do not respond well to treatment. Treatment: This will depend on what thyroid condition you have, as well as your symptoms and their severity. A healthcare provider may advise medications, radioiodine therapy to shrink an overactive thyroid or surgery. You could have pruritus gravidarum if you are pregnant and cannot stop scratching your itchy feet. A blockage of bile from your liver, or cholestasis, causes severe itchiness. Pruritus gravidarum mainly affects the abdomen, hands, and feet, leading to itchy palms and soles. The condition is relatively uncommon, occurring in less than 1% of pregnancies globally. Treatment: Discuss treatment options with a healthcare provider, including oral prescription medications. Antihistamine ointments or creams might help soothe itchiness. People with diabetes can develop dry and itchy skin, including on the feet. High blood sugar may lead to circulation problems, which increases the risk of open sores and infections on the feet and legs. Treatment: You can treat dry, itchy skin with moisturizers and lotions. Consult a healthcare provider to develop a general plan to treat diabetes and control your blood sugar. Although rare, itchy feet could be a sign of cancer like melanoma, a severe type of skin cancer. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and pain medications, may also cause itchiness as a side effect. Treatment: This will depend on the type and severity of the cancer. Some treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. A healthcare provider might adjust your treatment if it's causing your itchiness. This rare bone marrow disease causes your bone marrow to produce excess blood cells, primarily red blood cells. As a result, your blood thickens, making it hard to flow easily through your blood vessels. Itching, usually after a warm bath, is a common symptom. Polycythemia vera may increase the number of mast cells in the blood. Mast cells typically release histamine in response to allergens, which cause itching. Treatment: Phlebotomy removes one pint of blood per week to decrease the number of red blood cells and help thin your blood. UV light therapy can help alleviate itchiness. Streptococcus (strep) and staphylococcus (staph) bacteria commonly cause impetigo. These bacteria can enter the skin if there's a break, resulting in inflammation and infection. Impetigo may affect the feet, where you may develop fluid-filled blisters that itch, ooze, and crust over. Treatment: An antibacterial cream can usually clear up impetigo. Remember to gently wash the affected area using an antibacterial soap several times per day. A healthcare provider may prescribe oral antibiotics if you have severe symptoms. You might develop scars on your feet after a wound or surgery. Some scars form due to skin conditions and infections. Itchiness and pain are common scar symptoms and may persist after the wound heals. Treatment: Applying a cool compress or moisturizing cream to the affected area may reduce itchiness. More invasive treatments, such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, injections, and laser treatments, might reduce the scar's appearance. Research has found that your body's circadian rhythm may cause nocturnal pruritus, or itchy skin at night. Circadian rhythm is your body's 24-hour sleep-wake cycle that causes behavioral, mental, and physical changes. For example, your body temperature lowers, and your skin loses moisture. Those changes might contribute to the top of your feet itching at night. Treatment: An antihistamine like Benadryl can relieve itchy feet at night and help you sleep. Keep in mind that Benadryl does not typically alleviate itchiness caused by eczema. You might prevent itchy feet at night by keeping the air moist, limiting stress, and using non-scented creams, lotions, and moisturizers. Many nutrients support skin health, and deficiencies might result in itchy feet. Deficiencies that may cause itchy feet include iron and vitamins B2 and B3. Treatment: Contact a healthcare provider or nutritionist if you suspect you may have a nutritional deficiency. If a vitamin deficiency is found, changes in diet and taking supplements may be recommended. Itchy feet can cause you to scratch the skin on your feet. The sensation can affect the top and bottom of your feet and can sometimes be painful or uncomfortable. Other symptoms that may accompany itching include: Blisters Bumps and spots Dry skin that cracks Hives Redness Skin that appears leathery or scaly There are many potential causes and treatments for itchy feet. Some are mild, such as bug bites and dry skin, which you can easily treat at home with OTC medicines. In contrast, others are more complicated, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and thyroid conditions, and require the help of a healthcare provider. It may help to talk to a healthcare provider if you try treating your feet and the symptoms do not go away.
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