Scabies presents as mites that burrow into the skin to lay its eggs. An infestation of scabies can cause intense itching along with the infection. These mites prefer to live in moist areas such as in the groin, armpits and abdominal folds. Scabies spreads easily from direct contact with others and commonly occurs in places where many people live close together in unsanitary conditions such as prisons. While medical treatments for the infestation exist, some remedies at home can help.
Washing and Soaking
Along with doctor-prescribed medicated creams, washing and soaking the affected skin can help soothe the area. Cool soaking of the skin will help decrease the itching and increase comfort in the itchy areas of the body. Soaking in a cool tub of water also will ease the continual itching of the scabies infection. Washing often can help prevent infections from both the scabies and itching. Magnesium oxide used in a bath also soothes the skin and helps heal the areas of irritation
Antihistamines
Allergy symptoms related to the scabies infection can find relief with over-the-counter, non-prescription medications such as antihistamines. These medications will soothe the effects of the itching, swelling and redness caused by the skin's infection of the mites.
Lotion and Oils
Applying regular, non-medicated lotion to the skin will help heal the reddened, irritated areas as well as soothe the itchiness caused by this infection. Calamine lotion used for minor skin irritations as well as bites, aids in the skin's healing as well as soothing the painful burrowed mite areas on the skin. Such essential oils as tea tree and lavender also can help lessen the itch.
Cool Showers
Cool shower temperatures will help relieve the skin irritation and allow the person to have some relief from the itching from scabies infestation.
Borax Soap
Adding borax to a hot wash in which to wash clothing, linens and bedding will help kill the scabies. Borax kills scabies' mites and lice. To make certain the mites and their eggs cease to cause infection and infestation, iron clothes with a hot iron. Change clothes often--two to three times per day--and immediately wash and iron the clothes before using them again.
