Scabies
Natural Remedies

Natural Remedies for Scabies: 8 Options for Itch Relief

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Tdk (San Francisco, Ca) on 10/05/2014
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

My boyfriend and I have been attempting to treat scabies at home over the past 2+ months. We have tried borax and hydrogen peroxide baths, borax scrubs, benedryl, and topical hydrogen peroxide, hydorcortisone and witch hazel. All of these may bring some sort of mild, temporary relief, but definitely not a cure. We are still suffering with the underlying symptoms and signs of small red and clear fluid-filled bumps, intense itching that is often worse at night, and even open sores and bruising likely from incessant, mindless itching.

I have researched and would be open at this point to prescription medications, but most resources state that complete recovery is not often achieved even with repeated doses and I am not willing to use pesticides without the guarantee or even a high chance of success. Please help us find a way to put this misery behind us; we welcome any advice, tips and hope from your own similar experiences.

Bleach and Water
Posted by Jon (Indianapolis, US) on 08/05/2014

I used the Permethrin, which for all I know eventually worked. But I was still itching (never scratching) like crazy, and the bumps/rash was disgusting and showed no signs of diminishing.

I tried the Hydrogen Peroxide/Bleach/Water bath. That was good.

But I really started to notice improvement after spraying the quarter-sized rash (with several tiny, satellite bumps) with bleach/water (1 part bleach, 1 part water). The rash was on the inner wrist, where you feel your pulse.

Spraying it with the diluted bleach always made the itching go away (I don't know how). After a couple days, I saw visible improvement. I thought it might have been my imagination, but I was pretty sure it was diminishing. Now I'm absolutely sure it's diminished, because I can barely see it anymore.

Many reviewers here have recommended washing everything in sight...washing clothes, etc. I washed my clothes and sheets once, and tried to clean up the place some, but I honestly don't think it's crucial.

I understand the constant itching drives you mad, so you probably overreact and spray every inch with bleach. And I suppose that's a good thing, but in my experience, treating the affected area is good enough.

Maybe a bleach/water bath also, just so you get every inch of your body...after all, Scabies can only thrive on the human body.

I am SO glad this is gone. I was staying inside almost every day because it was disgusting...looked like a cluster of miniature grapes. When I went out to run errands, I wrapped bandages around it...couldn't see the rash, but then I looked like a suicide victim.

Bleach and Water
Posted by Cc (Washington Dc) on 09/08/2017

this is what worked for me after going batty. for me no symptoms for a month so thought I was clear. permethrin made it much worse, severe reaction. mine didn't look like internet pics at first so hubby and 1 doc didn't diagnose; pediatrician wouldn't let us in her office but did diagnosis positive. both docs gave Rx. Tea tree oil worked for my son.

dyna gro neem oil hot baths, kleen free spraying after baths, tea tree oil or kleen free dabs on itching

1 use linens, towels, clothes and extra 30 minutes in dryer for wet laundry; only 30 minutes for clean laundry/ linens (takes 20 minutes high heat to kill the mite and dryer cools down the last 10 minutes of cycle).mite proof mattress and pillow encasements- Bedical brand

massive cleaning of course, storing lots of extra things especially fabrics, dehumidifier especially in the storage room,

after treating for a couple of weeks and extremely dry skin (humidity keeps them alive so didn't want any lotion) started using grape seed oil with tea tree oil after bath and continued with kleen free spot spraying through day. This and the guided imagery was such a relief.

** Listened to guided imagery- was critical for resilience and physical healing- I fell asleep to it- free at kp.org/listen podcasts for immune system, stress, pain, sleep.

steam cleaning (a real hot steam cleaner, not just hot water), carpets and upholstered furniture, dunked the cat in a Kleen free bath (which she took in stride, pets can carry them like a rug even though the mites don't bite them) and DE powder (with masks because of superfine powder can aggravate breathing even though it's non toxic) on carpets and places we couldn't steam clean right before leaving for vacation for a week (I believe I was scabies free by then and just suffering from side effects of Rx, super hot drying baths, etc, but brought new mattress encasement and my own bedding, furniture covers and cleaned with kleen free)

also used sulfur and mineral soap and shampoo on myself and son, but not sure how they figured into cure

I'm very fortunate to have been able to afford all these things, and lucky our vacation timed with needing to get out of the house. If you can't do all of these I'd say to: use clothes and linens once only before cleaning or drying, 30 minutes drying already dry linens and clothes, storage of extra things, dusting and vacuuming your butt off, kleen free and dehumidifyer, and the Free guided imagery. Tea tree oil hot baths (Radha is good quality and value on amazon) and sulfur soap worked for my son but not me. I also drank Lots of water and more veggies, vitamin C

sending love and wishing you and yours health and comfort


Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide Soak
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 12/25/2013

Hey Earthdweller,

Google "Turpentine scabies" and you'll find a lot of information on the use of turpentine "baths" to kill the little critters. Caution; only one cap full in a whole bath. More as you can learn to tolerate higher doses. Also google "healing with Turpentine tony pantalleresco youtube" and he has an extensive description of the very old medicinal uses of turpentine...uses that go back a hundred years.

Also there is a powerful substance you can use on the skin called Cedarcide made in Texas that kills about anything but won't hurt a person or animal. Apply to skin and I bet it would work on mites too. It will on larger mites, so why not the microscopic ones?


Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide Soak
Posted by Sherri (PNW) on 09/13/2024

Hello April,

Sorry to hear about your skin condition. Unfortunately, this situation has become quite widespread in the U.S. and most do not know the symptoms or the various clinical presentations, including most doctors.

There is also a form of scabies going around that looks like a fine, white, scaly sheen on the skin that gradually spreads and eventually forms reddish/purple areas of infection.

Being that this condition is highly contagious (many pick it up in the hospitals of all places) I think everyone should be practicing "preventive hygiene" with regards to this and other skin issues. Many people pick this up from shopping carts, sitting on furniture, petting an animal, etc.

Below is an outline for a standard treatment for crusted and other forms of scabies. you can also look at all the other effective treatments used on EarthClinic - there are many.

For your situation, you would probably want to wear gloves after applying any topicals for the day. And, being that there is already an infection, you might want to seriously consider using EmuaidMax as part of your topical treatment since is it highly effective for a variety of skin infections.

"Daily Topical Frequency" will be key for your healing as well as treating your environment and immune system.

TREATMENTS THAT WORK

Successful treatment must be multi-faceted to "kill" the infection permanently on the body and in the environment, this includes:

1. Total environment treatment - this is how most people become reinfected on a daily basis.

2. Complete Skin treatment - most treatments are not long enough &/or thorough enough. And, many products are not effective.

3. Immune system treatment - very important to strengthen; add in supplements; diet (organic, no sugar, etc); probiotics; etc.

4. Treat other people/animals in your environment - a source of reinfection.

TOTAL ENVIRONMENTAL TREATMENT

Disinfect (kill microbes & mite) everything in your "total" environment that you touch: e.g, backpack, computer, car, home, work place, anything you frequently touch, clothes, purses, belts, shoes and shoe laces, washing machine, dryer, seat belt, surfaces, furniture, electrical switches, door knobs, cabinets, cabinet knobs, many other objects you touch, countertops, floors, pets, clothes, gas station hose handles, kitchen appliances, faucets, grocery cart handle, all door knobs, other people, etc..

Many forget one or two significant items/objects which recontaminate them (e.g., seat belt, purses, computer, belts, coats, pet, Gas Station Hose handles, grocery carts, door knobs, couch, another persons clothes, etc).

Use "killing" agents to spray/soak/disinfect your total environment. Some effective anti-scabies-mite killing agents include: Enzyme sprays (non-toxic, e.g. Kleen Green and many others), Benefect, 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (very toxic, damages wood, only use for non-precious surfaces to save money), CedarCide, Clove Essential Oil spray, etc... Google.

Safe Rooms - start disinfecting the most important rooms (bathroom, bedroom then kitchen) and move out from there.

When you return to your newly made "safe" room(s) make sure to spray yourself (clothes/hands) so that you do not recontaminate the safe environment. Or, wear gloves in these areas and replace clothing. Or, can use shoe covers, gloves and an "overall suit" when you treat contaminated areas so that you don't re-contaminate your clothes, shoes and body and "safe" rooms.

Laundry - purchase "scabies" killing agents to add to wash water, NSF Bleach (safer bleach, less toxic - Dr Hulda Clark), Enzyme products, Cedarcide, etc... Soak clothes in one of these agents for 1 hour prior to adding to washer (in a plastic bin). Don't forget to disinfect washing machine and dryer. Dry clothes for one hour on high.

One of the most helpful and versatile tools is an enzyme spray. Overtime, when applied throughout the day to the skin (rub it in), it can get rid of the infection. It kills the surface organisms on the skin so that you do not recontaminate anything - lasts for a couple hours. Some people have soaked their feet, hands, etc in concentrated enzyme solution to get rid of their infection. And, it is a great non-toxic spray to kill the organism in the environment, clothes, etc.

COMPLETE SKIN TREATMENT

Use several skin treatments at the same time and be sure to use them for at least 1-3 months as you clean your environment: skin topical, skin prep, daily frequency, internal skin treatment (ivermectin, immune system, diet) and "longer" duration of treatment.

TOPICAL

Compounded Ivermectin Cream: 3% Ivermectin + 10% DMSO + Versabase. Very effective. Apply to clean skin 3-6x/day, rub in very well. Kills all surface organisms.

EmuAid MAX: rub very, very well into clean skin, 4-6x/day. You do not need much. This is VERY effective and non-toxic. It also kills the eggs overtime. Ingredients include: emu oil, tea tree oil, silver, ceramides, etc...

Sulfur Creams: many good ones. Must be minimum 10% sulfur. DIY: 75% flower of sulfur powder, 15% 100% gum turpentine oil, 10% raw shea butter or raw neem oil or coconut oil. Can vary the ratios. THIS IS A VERY EFFECTIVE TREATMENT & TIME TESTED FOR 100 of YEARS. A ready made sulfur cream that works very well on all scabies is NuStock though, it contains petroleum-based oil.

The physician-based sulfur treatment of old was 3 steps, using: 10% sulfur/salicylic cream 2-4x/day, 10% sulfur/salicylic soap treatment 2x/day (in shower or bath) along with effective environmental cleaning.

Essential Oils & Creams - essential oils that kill scabies: clove, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, etc. Neem oil is also used to kill scabies. CAUTION: be sure to test any oil you use on a small area first to ensure you are not allergic or hypersensitive to any oil!

Good Recipes: use peppermint oil straight (with no dilution), it kills the organism, the larvae and eggs. Or, mix it with "real" tea tree oil from Australia. If skin is sensitive to this, use raw neem oil, raw shea butter or coconut oil to dilute with.

Clove essential oil 30 drops + Peppermint essential oil 20 drops + Raw Shea Butter 1-2+ tablespoons (depending on your sensitivity), mix well. Apply 3-6x/day.

SKIN PREP

"Prepping" the skin before applying a treatment often works better to clear the infection more quickly (allows better exposure to treat the organism, removes biofilm/dirt/fungus, "kills" the superficial layer of organisms) .

Can prep the skin in various ways: spraying on non-toxic alcohol or witch hazel (e.g., organic grain alcohol - can add orange and/or lavender essential oil); washing with baking soda/borax/H2O2 then rinsing with vinegar; or apply orange essential oil mixed with a light carrier.

THE BEST SKIN PREP & EVEN COMPLETE TREATMENT:

Use 10% sulfur soap with 3% Salicylic Acid - this is the most common/effective skin prep for scabies and can even effectively treat the condition.

Instructions: soak soap in hot water for 5-10 minutes, lather the soap VERY WELL until it forms a very rich lather, then apply to the skin, rub in very well, entire body, leave on for 10-15 minutes (keeping it moist). Rinse. Repeat. Ideally, do this twice daily. Air dry.

Some have reported using a salt/sulfur/salycilic acid soap works wonders.

Another "cheaper" skin prep/treatment remedy that works is soaking in a salt bath for 1 hour a day (or, two, 30 minute sessions), for a minimum 3 weeks. Add 5 lbs salt to a hot bath, dissolve. Can add other "anti-mite" ingredients if you want to (sulfur, borax, H2O2, lavender essential oil, tea tree essential oi, homeopathics).

Then, apply topical treatments.

IMMUNE SYSTEM & SKIN INTERNAL

Important to eat a healthy diet

Take immune building supplements

May need to take oral Ivermectin or another oral anti-mite medication or herbal treatment.

Very important to "alkalize" an overly acidic system (lemon juice and baking soda, 2x/day) and to "detox" (daily ChlorEnergy tablets, activated charcoal/bentonite clay capsules, raw sauerkraut, fulvic/humic acid, etc.).

Eat high health protein, healthy fats, organic, no sugars/simple carbs, no gluten or dairy (for a while at least), try grain-free diet, etc.

PETS

Mite Shampoo every other day, weekly.

May need to take an oral anti-mite med like Ivermectin & build up their immune system.

Wash/treat pet bed frequently. Do not let pets sleep with you.

Frequently spray pet with enzyme spray or rub in diatomaceous earth.

MULTI-PRONGED TREATMENTS THAT WORKED FOR PEOPLE I KNEW THAT HAD WHAT YOU DESCRIBE:

* Used a good enzyme spray for treating entire environment, soaked laundry in it for 1 hour (or soaked with Cedarcide), and sprayed their body with it multiple times a day. Carried an enzyme spray bottle with them at all times and treated their hands frequently throughout the day, sprayed grocery carts or used protection, etc.

* Used sulfur soap protocol (discussed above).

* Treated their pets with mite shampoo and Ivermectin if possible.

* Applied either 3% Ivermectin or EmuaidMax cream, 2-4x/day, to entire body or areas of infection and beyond.

* A couple also took oral Ivermectin, 12 mg, 2-4x/day, for a month. See your physician. Take with food/fat.

* Healthy diet & took immune supplements like Colostrum from NZ; Vitamins - C/D3/K/A/E/Zn/Mg/BComplex; minerals, ChlorEnergy; Ayurvedic Herbs; etc.

KEY: NO STRESS - they simply "did" the treatments as they were able to without "stressing" about it, knowing it WILL eventually work. They progressed slowly with the various environmental treatments and added in other treatments as they were able. After 1-6 months, their infections completely disappeared and did not return. KNOW THAT THIS CAN BE RESOLVED, MANY HAVE DONE IT.

NOTE: there are many VERY EFFECTIVE, HOMEOPATHIC topical (creams, soap, sprays) and oral treatments that work well!

Wishing you a VERY effective and "quick" resolution!

Sherri


Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide Soak
Posted by Kevin (New York) on 10/15/2013
★★★★☆

I have been batteling scabies for the past few months and finally borax and h202 are working. I have read a ton about alkalizing on this website and have started drinking sodium bicarb mixtures with Apple Cider Vinegar and lemon/lime juice. I have also read Ted's pH balance book... My question refers to the diet portion. If I can't eat fruit or dairy, and have to drastically cut down on my meat and other carbs, WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO EAT? If anyone with knowledge on this can give me more specific information about what to eat instead of what to stay away from it would be greatly appreciated. I'm a 25 year old male, thought I was healthy before this scabies event, it has showed me that I have to change a lot about my life, I don't want to loose weight.

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Suzanne (Knoxville, Tn, Usa) on 05/26/2012

I have read through the posts on earth clinic about treating scabies and their has been a lot of good info. I would like to add my story that ends with a happy ending. I was fighting these biting bug mites, call it what you may for two months when me and my husband finally left the house after spraying it down heavy with insceticide and drove to the beach for a week. I swam in the ocean every day sometimes twice a day, washed all the sheets clothes towels what ever I touched every day. I also rubbed myself down with coconut oil twice a day and put clove oil in it also. Every time I felt an itch I put coconut oil on right away. I sat on a towel in the car that I washed at the end of the day and was taking two showers a day. First thing in the morning and last thing at night. I also used tecnu in the shower. When I was at the ocean I scrubbed with the sand to kill the mites. They don't like salt at all. I went from like a hundred bites to 20 to 10 in a matter of three days. This is day six and I don't have many places that bother me. I am praying that the lord heals me completly soon and hope that I can help someone else that maybe going through this. It is awful... But I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your eyes and God and let him give you wisdom and healing through this.


Sulphur
Posted by Cindy (Ilinois, Usa) on 05/05/2017 554 posts

I think you're talking about Durvet and their Nu Stock liniment/ointment/salve. They didn't shut them down, they just made them stop recommending it for people. It is still sold for pets and apparently works wonder for scabies. You can read lots of reviews at that place online that isn't a river in South America, if you know what I mean. I'm getting some for the dogs and so that I can try a DIY formula I think might replicate the results, using just sulfur and coconut oil with oregano oil to cut the odor. The Nu Stock is made with mineral oil (23%) and sulfur (75%) and 2% pine oil (by weight, I'm assuming) but I think the pine oil is just to help dull the smell of the sulfur. You use it once, then wait 3 days, then use it again. For really bad cases, you might have to do it 3-5 times which would be 1 application, 3 days rest then 1 application, 3 days rest etc, which would be about 20 days. More is NOT better. It kills the live ones on contact, you wait 3 days for some more eggs to hatch, then you kill those and so on until they'r gone but it cuts the itching, instantly. If you just use a tiny bit whenever you itch, whatever the cause (mosquito bite, rash or unknown) you can prevent it before any eggs are laid in one application.

That's what I'm hearing from those who use it. One farm guy cuts it out of the tube it comes in, mixes it with mineral oil, and uses it as a spray on his livestock for anything having to do with the skin. Cuts, scrapes, rashes, bald spots and hot spots, mites, mange and fleas on his dogs as well as strays. Also heard that it is instant relief and fast elimination for poison ivy. Can't wait to get it! I kinda wish I had an itch! I might have some poison ivy out back....I'll have to check.


Essential Oils
Posted by Janet (Salem, Or) on 03/08/2012
★★★★★

thanks to original post dated 11/9/2010 I tweaked the recipe.

SKIN TREATMENT RECIPE (can be used as an All Natural Scabies treatment)

Ingredients needed:

  • Grocery store: Grapeseed Oil (by Olive Oil)
  • Instant Hand Sanitizer w/ Aloe
  • Coconut Oil Hair conditioner (in the hair section with Afro-American hair products)
  • . 3 fl oz Tea Tree Oil
  • . 5 fl oz Sweet Orange essential Oil
  • . 5 fl oz Clove Bud essential Oil
  • 1 fl oz Neem Oil
  • Neem Oil Bar of Soap

MIX:

  1. get a used water bottle or container same size of 16 oz. fill half full of Grapeseed Oil
  2. Add 3 drops of each; tt, orange, clove and neem oils. Shake well

Half hour before bed get naked. Spread following products from chin line and hair line down. (may need partner to help spread this in unreachable areas). Sanitizer all over, in creases too including private areas. follow with oil mixture, then coat with coconut oil. Walk or stand around for about 30 minutes until absorbed

If treating for Scabies, you can actually look down and where they were not before, you can see gray specs on the skin in places appear (dead bugs)

After 30 minutes, throw on undies, sweat pants and long sleeve thin shirt to sleep in. You want to sleep in your bed overnight with mixture on.

In morning take shower, gather all sheets regardless then wash dirty clothes, and disinfect house (if scabies). Use Neem soap to wash with in shower. If you are concerned about your hair, add few drops of Neem oil to shampoo. Repeat in 3 days after first treatment, then weekly for 3 weeks. Mix ingredients as needed.

Great for dry skin. Mixture actually makes you feel energized. My kids and I did this for scabies, I tried it first time doing it for 30 mins then washing off. Yes you can, if you look closely see the dead bugs if your eyesight is good.

It was more effective following same directions like the Premethrin as far as leaving it on overnight except this was all natural. We repeated treatment after 3 days then weekly for 3 weeks and cleaned everything in the house.

Permethrin
Posted by Dudeman (Hammond, Louisiana, Usa) on 10/23/2011
★★★★★

I have tried some of the ideas here in order to avoid my health insurance's deductible. I don't go to the doctor much so a visit this late in the year seems like a waste.

I contracted my scabies from a longtime friend of the family who hugged me several weeks ago for an extended time (2 minutes?) while photos were taken. Turns out she has been dealing with an intense rash and may even still be in denial about it being scabies.

Unfortunately, I wasn't immediately aware of her affliction and assumed my itch was due to mosquitoes, allergies, new detergent... Until I was fully infested. Then I treated with lice shampoo, bleach, peroxide, hot water, various lotions... Some provided relief, others provided chemical burns! (yes... I missed the part about the "non" chlorine bleach LOL)

So, unable to take it any more I decided to step up the battle and purchased a concentrated 40% permethrin solution which I used to create an 8% permethrin spray. After completely washing my body using Joy to removed all body oils and dirt... I applied the 8% permethrin from the neck down. When my wife came home, she aided me in treating my head, face and ears.

I will WARN you... This stings like a *****! The areas that I damaged previously with the bleach were the worst and I almost washed the solution off... but I knew this was my last chance!!! The burning subsided and the itching was already lessened within the hour.

I let the solution airdry and left it on for over 18 hours. I used a little calamine lotion upon going to bed to soothe the few areas still itching. Then showered vigorously in the morning. It is now mid afternoon of the day after my treatment (the same day of the showering) and I am a new man. I've had a few itches and welts (less than 5), but nothing like what I have dealt with for the last 2 weeks; my body was covered.

I plan to repeat my treatment with permethrin next week to be sure I have beat it. I post this more as a ray of hope for anyone suffering, rather than a guide to follow. I do not suggest you do what I have done as you could seriously harm yourself. What I am suggesting is that you visit your doctor and use plenty of the permethrin cream to cure yourself once and for all!!!

I realized this goes against the "natural" theme of this website... But it's the only place I found any real information, and I want you all to experience some relief. Several of the stories I read on here brought me to tears! Good Luck!

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Tired In Kentucky (Franklin, Kentucky) on 07/09/2011
★★★★☆

my girlfriend and I got scabies we first went to dr he give us permetherin and it did help thought we getting cured still had bumps comeing back tried 2 more times after that then went to health store bought lavender soap and tea tree oil and neem still didnt help ordered dermisil scabies and we were on the right track then washed bed linen and clothes everyday but still getting bumps getting frustrated so called dr he give me ivermectin took the pills and started seeing results till I went to bed.......... So the best thing that worked for me was I took the ivermectin showerd with sulphur soap , tea tree oil in shampoo and covered my body with dermisil and sprayed everything down with benzarid but the most important thing I done was stayed out of my bed I was getting reinfected there, so I went to walmart bought blow up matress threw away all my pillows bought new ones even the ones on my couch and I am on my way to recovery for now hope im cured. The reason im posting this is I read all this posts and I wanted to share my story mabe it will help someone here... But staying out of my bed and spraying with benzarid for a few days and seeing if I can get rid of them, hopefully I got this under control because im healing up.


Borax Bath, Bleach Bath
Posted by Camille (Red Bluff, Calif.) on 04/13/2011
★★★★★

Yes you can see the scabies!! After the Doctor telling us over and over that our son was bathing too much, the water was too hot, he used too much soap and was drying out his skin, we finely went to another doctor and got the result we didn't want to hear- scabies! He has had them for at least 3 months so after doing research we opted for the borax bath. The first bath we could see tiny light brown flakes floating on top of the water and ignored it. The next day we did the chlorine free bleach bath and again the brown flakes but also tiny black dots with a semi clear body now I had to take a closer look! After looking at it under a loop it was a BUG and larva.

So you people out there saying they can't be seen are wrong and the chlorine bath not only brought out the bugs but the larva so we're staying with that. After the bath we are using Tea tree oil mixed half & half with olive oil all over the body to discourage the little monsters from attaching to our skin. Good luck to you all, I'll post if the oil works and we don't have to sanitize our whole house.

Sulphur
Posted by Umothra (Kensington, Md, Usa) on 12/30/2010
★★★★★

I have had scabies for about three years, on and off im not sure if I have ever completely got rid of them. They come and go. I have tried many products and spent a lot of money. Recently I tried sulfur soap and sulfur cream it is inexpensive and it works. Results are fast although you have to keep up the regimen for a while. Sulfur works and I urge anyone with scabies to look into the use of sulfur to cure scabies.


Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide Soak
Posted by Deb (London, Ky. Usa) on 12/06/2010
★★★★★

I have a 9 month old grand-daughter which has had blisters on the bottoms of her feet for over 3 months now. It started out a blister on the mouth, which was diagnosed as Foot-Hand-Mouth disease. After a month of the blisters moving from her mouth to her hands and feet, her pediatrician decided it wasn't FHM disease and wanted to treat her for Psoriasis. After another month of treatment for Psoriasis, no cure. The blisters were still there and new ones coming on a daily basis. She even had one huge blister in her head. Her pediatrician treated her for scabies, yes the perm cream. Not only did I treat her, but I treated everyone of the family members that are around the baby and have any contact with her. Yes I bought the meds for all family members on both sides of the families so she wouldn't suffer. It didn't work. I even had my white carpet steam cleaned along with my sofa. Still blisters were popping up on a daily basis. The dermatologist also treated her for scabies, even though the scraping test came back negative for scabies, he wanted to treat her for them. So another perm treatment and still blisters popping up overnight.

I came to the internet for research on scabies and found this site. I read for a treatment on the critters and found the Peroxide and borax treatment. Now, I'm not sure if it was scabies or not, but my 9 month old grand-daughter sure loves me for getting rid of her itchy, red, infectious blisters on the bottoms of her feet and bosy. I used about 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup peroxide in as warm water as she could stand, and I soaked her in it for about 5-10 minutes once daily for 2 days. Afterwards, I let her air dry in a very warm house and left it on her for about 2 hours and then gave her a bath in olive oil soap, which I had purchased because the dermatologist said she was allergic to coconut oil. Which she is not. After the bath with theolive oil soap ($1.50 a bar), I rinsed her off with fresh water and patted her dry, and then rubbed her down with extra virgin olive oil and proceeded to pat her dry again. Her blisters are now all gone and her skin is soft without any harm to her body as those poisonous creams the doctors were prescribing for her.

An old lady probably in her 90's had mentioned to me before I came here for help about using virgin olive oil on her and all of her ailments would disappear. I was skeptical, Not anymore, Thanks old lady from wal-mart check-out line. I appreciate you and this site for the cure of my granddaughter's feet!!! I was careful to not let her get any of the bathing solution in her mouth and eyes too. She has an appointment in 2 days with the doctor and the dermatologist on the same day. I will mention this solution for whatever it was ailing my baby...

Garlic
Posted by Itchy (Houston, Tx) on 01/18/2010
★★★★★

Garlic Supplements cures scabies. If you have read through the post, I previously posted a yea for borax and peroxide. They did work to relieve my itching, but I still got long welts on my skin which then turned into little bumps and itched like crazy. Wednesday I did some searching and found out that garlic is anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and could cure scabies. So I ran out an purchased a bottle at the $1 store. Skeptical that it was not going to be potent enough, I decided it wouldn't hurt to try. I took the supplements twice a day once in the morning and once at night. My supplements were 400mg. Use caution because too much garlic can make you sick. I was itch free completely within 2 days with no new bumps. I was sharing the bottle with my two boys, and did not realize that there were only two pills left today on Monday. So I gave the last two pills to my children. Now I sit here itching, but not to the degree that I was, but my children are not itching at all. First thing tomorrow I am getting another bottle. When i run out again I am going to try going off the pill again, will let you all know how well it works out. I wish eveyone luck. This thing is no picnic!

Sulphur
Posted by Sharon (Wesely Chapel, Fl) on 01/15/2010
★★★★☆

Got rid of the durn things but got re-infested by the automobiles so got to start from scratch again. Just a word about the post-treatment itching. I had it bad after permethrin treatments. Found out it was because I was so allergic to the eggs laid under the skin. Sulfur helped stop the itch immediately. I purchase it cheaply from a bonsai seller and used 2 0z mixed with a thick hand cream as a salve. It kills them critters as well, but smells and can stain until it gets dry. Can be mixed with body wash in the same concentration for showers. My husband recently bought the lime sulphur dip for dogs and it is full strength. I have 4 long haired pomeranians that are the dickens to treat safely. I hope to try the enzymes on them. Now, someone please tell me how to gain everyone's FULL co-operation in treating these vermin. One member of my family has threatened to shut me up permanently if I mention it again and he is covered with them all over his back and spreading them. Woe is me.


Borax, Hydrogen Peroxide, Citrus Soap
Posted by Shawn (Newark, Delaware) on 12/04/2009
★★★★★

Borax, Hydrogen Peroxide and citrus-based dish soap:

This is similar to others, but it's real good if you've been having a hard time getting rid of those things even with the borax/hydrogen soak. Here's what you do:

wash/dry on hot all lining.
* Mix 1 part borax and 8 parts hydro-proxide.
* wipe down all pillows/mattress using a wash cloth and borax/hydro mix.
* sprinkle borax on carpet. leave on carpet until scabies is 100% cured.
* mix 1 part borax, 1 part citris dish soap, 1 part water in a bucket.
* take a shower. Stop the shower and use a wash cloth to scrub yourself with the borax/citris mix neck to toe(no running water or sitting in water, just your damp self). leave on for 10-20 minutes or as long as you can stand it - it will sting and it will leave your skin very dry.
* wash borax/citrus mix off and finish your shower.
* replace lining and go to bed.
* wake up and apply borax/hydro mix to all areas of your skin that still itch. let it mixture dry on you.continue to do this throughout the day as needed.
* repeat all steps until all those creatures die.

IT WILL WORK.

Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide Soak
Posted by Codysmom (Annandale, Va, USA) on 08/07/2009
★★★★★

borax and hydrogen peroxide cured my scabies

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.

Bleach and Water
Posted by Rp (Usa) on 06/24/2018

You say that the bleach baths did not work, but every treatment modality has variables that affect whether or not it will be successful. As with medications where there are the necessary aspects of a medical order: you have the right patient, the right drug (treatment), the right dose, the right timing or interval between treatments/doses, and the right route or method of application.

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.


Bleach and Water
Posted by Itchy And Scratchy (Dull As Denver, Usa) on 01/20/2012

Bleach and water is for sure the way to go for instant relief. I mixed bleach and water 4:1 ratio aprox, and noticed that my itch had subsided almost immediately! How awesome is that?! Also the second time I treated my skin this way I added about a tablespoon of olive oil to the mix, this seemed to lessen the harshness of straight bleach on exposed skin and open cuts from scratching. Thank you for the advice people of the internet! I love you all!


Citrus Mouthwash
Posted by Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 03/07/2009
★★★★★

anything citrus helps with scabies. you can use orange juice or lemon or lime juice or even better orange oil. google orange oil for scabies


Citrus Mouthwash
Posted by Lorisayshey (San Diego, Ca) on 08/18/2011
★★★★★

Update 8/18/2011. Just discovered last night that clove oil kills the adults, larvae, AND penetrates the eggs and kills the eggs too in less than an hour. Read the latest research on this from Australia. This was just discovered last August - go here to read about the study results http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0012079. They had a serious virilent strain of scabies that was Permithrn resistant.

My husband has been under a Dermotologist's care for 3 weeks now and he was prescribed Permithrin twice and still has only killed about 10 percent of them. Me and my son are finally getting relief from these awful things. The ratio we started with is 1 part clove oil and 3 parts coconut oil. Also, put 1/2 ounce in a spray bottle filled with water and sprayed the entire house - EVERYTHING!!! We put it on us last night and didn't feel them crawling all night, plus all day today. Tonight I notice a few, but nothing compared to the night before. I've read that when the last bite is gone and there is no more itching, you must wait 10 days after this to be considered cured. But, must keep up with keeping everything clean (new sheets every day, etc. As I indicated in my process above) for at least 3 months to prevent a reinfection. I'll keep you up to date on our progress, but for now, we are feeling like we are finally out of the worst of it! I know the Lord helped me to find the info we needed to get set free from this awful stuff, also so that I could share it with so many of you who have suffered for way to long with the disgusting stuff. God Bless!


Antibacterial Soap
Posted by Jonathan (Utah) on 11/18/2023
★★☆☆☆

The anti-bacterial soap will help with inflammation only. And while that will provide some relief, it will not kill the scabies. Not even close.


Antibacterial Soap
Posted by Angela (Smalltown, Bc) on 03/18/2010

I just wanted to add a few more details to my previous post. I unfortunately got reinfected by mistakenly putting on a wool sweater that hadn't been washed. It is just so easy to keep getting this. Diligence and complete daily discipline to cleanliness are the only solutions.

Also, I found that having scabies really drained me of energy. My body was doing its best to fight it off, but it was exhausting and deprived me of any motivation. These beasties know how to make their host weak. I think it is important to know that so that you can fight it mentally when you are tired physically. You must get up and do that laundry, eat well, clean your body, no matter how hard it feels.

I have now managed to get rid of this horrid pest, but the residual itch still freaks me out occasionally.

Also I wanted to say that the 5% permethrin cream did work, but for a couple of days it felt like it didn't work and in fact made me feel like things were even worse. The orange essential oil has been a godsend also. I still put it on and in my bath just out of comfort because it definitely helps and calms me down at the same time.

You CAN get rid of this thing. But it may take a few repeated treatments over a few months as it did for me. I wish you all the best.


Acapulco Leaves
Posted by Run Scabies Run (Minneapolis, Mn) on 11/09/2010

I recently treated my 8 year old son... IT WORKS! My son was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and we learned Permethrin DOES NOT WORK. So I researched for 2 days and found this website. Here is what I did:

1)wet skin with INSTANT HAND SANITIZER WITH ALOE,

2)first layer with ORANGE OIL ($4. 99 from GNC),

3)second layer COCONUT OIL HAIR CONDITIONER ( $2 by Blue Magic),

4) third layer TEA TREE OIL ($2. 64 by Hollywood Beauty),

5) within 5 minutes the scabies literally crawled out by the hundreds (scary),

6) leave oil mix on skin for at least 30 minutes,

7) soak in shower and watch the mites run down the drain,

8) disinfect entire home,

9) Rinse and Repeat,

10) RELAX! ... Please follow these 10 easy steps and soon you will be posting the good news.


Acapulco Leaves
Posted by No More Scabies (Shreveport, Louisiana) on 08/29/2011

I know what you are going through! Here is my story. My son went on a mission trip and came home with scabies. Got the cream treated all family members, washed everything and a few weeks latter I had them from my back to my ankles I am talking everywhere!!! I was the only one that was invested. Went back to the doctor another round of cream! The bites continued for four months it was like I was chasing them all over my body! Tried the borax with peroxide baths twice a day, the anti bacteria lotions , neem oil, tea tree oil, olive oil, jergins lotion with lavender, orange oil, in it. Went through (4) tubes on prescription creams, wash everyday sleeping on a air mattress I felt like a crazy person Was so desperate to get rid of them that I ordered poke root and did that, if someone posted I tried it!

Finally could not take anymore, found a different dermatologist the first one did do a scraping and I did have scabies made a appointment the bites that I have been chasing was fungalitas basically all the oils that I have been putting on my skin got my hair follicles infected, yes they itched and looked just like scabies! He gave me a prescription of sulfur antibiotics, four days later no more bumps. I hope my story helps some one I never want to go through that again!!!


Acapulco Leaves
Posted by Gail (ID) on 05/30/2022

Fungalitis.... Do you know that sulfur kills scabies? Maybe you had scabies and they diagnosed fungalitis.


Acapulco Leaves
Posted by Meci (Belleview, Florida) on 01/07/2012

Some of this sounds like morgellons.


Acapulco Leaves
Posted by Gayle (West Columbia, Sc) on 01/20/2012

There are two types of scabies, but it is the same "bug. " The first type is simple to cure with a cream or pill from the doctor or whatever method you use. The second type is crusted scabies in the beginning stages. A person with an imunno deficiency in their system, like herpes complex 1, which is a cold sore, or blisters on the fingers or anywhere on the body. Also, warts may also cause immune problems. As the scabies multiplies, the person feels no itch because he is not able to detect the chemical igE that the scabie releases with feces into the host's pore. The scabies multiply by the hundreds of thousands on the person's skin and no one is the wiser. The person may have some patch of eczema on their body, such as an elbow, face or hair.

Fungus creams cure these patches and no one is the wiser. As the scabies multiply, the person may sometimes have a pin prick bite feeling with no visible bug to bite. The person may sometimes have itchy skin, but lotion heals that. There may be places on the body where the person thinks he has some type of clear wart or mole. It hurts to the touch, but is not otherwise bothersome. The "pimple" is a scabies nest with hundreds of thousands of scabies and eggs in it. The bug continues to multiply until, one day, the igE is too much for the person's bloodstream and he begins to feel the itch, the crawling and the biting these scabies cause. The doctor prescribes the cream and it does not work. The dermatologist says he has herpes simplex or shingles and gives him steroids, which will definitely worsen the scabies condition. The scabies live in the skin and, as the years pass, begin to make brand new nests in each pore of the skin. The scabies are everywhere, in the legs, in the back, in the arms, in the face and even definitely in the hair. This condition is the beginning stages of crusted scabies. There are pictures on the internet of horrible cases of crusted scabies in the last stage, which causes the person to look deformed. The problem is finding a doctor who understands that the condition 1)is highly contagious 2) needs the pill ivermectin or its equvalent 3) needs a cream to be applied for at least three weeks and maybe 6 weeks 4) will require treatment for a long period of time and especially a doctor who understands that all the family needs to be treated, even if they do not have symptoms. If someone has had scabies for years, many people may have been infected and should be informed to prevent an epidemic.

I found Eucerin for very dry skin or Equate, vaseline, diluted amonia, moist tar (a drugist can mix this without a prescription), something sugary that dries on the skin like molasses or syrup and lots of showers helped me through the hell I suffered. Do not take baths, let them go down the drain. Protect others by covering with clothes from head to toe, vacuum very often daily, wash anything worn even for a minute. Put the clothes in a plastic bag to carry to the laundry room to wash or stick in the dryer for 30 min. Don't hug anybody, or touch anybody. Everywhere you walk is contaminated. Crusted scabies has so many scabies, they are visual to the naked eye and their eggs get in the fingers, which is very contagious. To find out more, Gaylestevenson(at)ymail.com. I welcome any questions or comments.


Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide Soak
Posted by april (North Florida, Florida) on 07/09/2009

About the mites on the dog -- try covering the dog with mayonaise!!! Leave it on as long as you can before rinsing it off. After rinsing I like to shamppoo the dog and rinse with vinegar and water. The dog may smell like a salad while wearing the mayo, but the mayo suffocates the mites. We run a dog rescue and take in babies with all sorts of skin ailments, and this works like a charm getting rid of mites. Lots of people claim dogs with mange are incurable - well, the mange caused by mites is taken care of with mayo every time.


Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide Soak
Posted by Eman8723 (Greenville, TX) on 07/18/2009
★★★★★

YES this works!!!!! i have tried all kinds of things and nothing works. i bought this stuff off the internet that cost 100 bucks thinkin it would work(didnt). i went to the doctor and he gave me this stuff that didnt work either. when i saw this site i thought what the hell... wouldnt hurt to try. i used a regular cup that u drink out of and put two huge scoops it in the tub. then i would get in and and sprinkle a alot of it over my infected areas. just sit in the tub for 30 min each night with warm water. the first day i kinda saw a difference, but i noticed that i was not itching near as much! the second day i noticed a huge difference they were almost gone!!! i am going to try it again for the third night tonight. i was just so happy about how well this works i had to let other people know so they dont have to suffer like i did!


Moxidectrin Gel For Horses
Posted by Lisa (Amsterdam) on 07/18/2025
★★★★★

It's a gel that you take internally. You have to base it on your weight and adjust accordingly. I took a pinkie fingernail size dollop. It worked in one time. https://www.agridirect.ie/product/equest-pramox?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22688131671&gbraid=0AAAAADlR20qXC1zn7np0fuM9P6yOJyD2T&gclid=CjwKCAjw4efDBhATEiwAaDBpbmFekKigNR2k8w20YQvg9MsXYkRveX6vv6mec2JGLiSqzQTsUiJa5RoC01IQAvD_BwE


Multiple Remedies
Posted by RidgeRunner (ALABAMA, United States) on 06/21/2025

The mites you are referring to that the call "incurable" and the only thing you can to is to treat the immune system are called demodex mites. That might be somthing to consider. Every animal has a form of demodrx mites, including humans. They are passed from mother to offspring during the birthing process, skin to skin contact, and breast feeding. Most people don't have any symptoms and never even know they are there...others who have a weakened immune system can't fight them effectively causing them to get out of hand.


Vaseline +
Posted by Luann (Indiana) on 05/20/2023
★★★★★

Vaseline and Sulfur for Scabies

Sulfur is the cure for scabies! Into a small bowl I mixed four level tablespoons of yellow sulfur powder with about three tablespoons of baby oil until smooth and then I added one large 15 oz plastic jar of Vaseline or some call it petroleum jelly and I stirred this together very well with a small spoon. When it was well Incorporated I put it back into the Vaseline plastic container and yes it all fit nicely. I set this on my bathroom sink and twice a day morning and night I smeared this on my body and rubbed it in well. I even put it in my hair and covered my pillow with the towel so I wouldn't stain it and slept very well that night, no itches no crawling. The next morning I took a shower with sulfur bar soap and even my hair. I had to wash my hair several times and yes it was a gooey mess but who cares as long as it's killing these things right? This stuff works miracles and from then on I've put it on twice a day and it said to do it for one week. You do not have to wash it off only once a day if you feel like it and I think this was key into killing them bastards. I kept myself covered with it and yes you can leave the house and you can't see it on you nor did I smell it. Anyway this stuff will kill it and this is how you make a sulfur ointment. That's what this stuff is called. Before that I used body lotion with the sulfur but it did not work the same as using Vaseline and it did not kill them therefore this is why I went to making the sulfur ointment using Vaseline. Just makes your skin feel great also.


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