Home Remedies For Scabies Skin

Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by a parasitic mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. The female digs under the skin and lays her eggs, which then hatch and spread to other parts of the body. Scabies can become dangerous if the skin breaks due to constant scratching and a secondary bacterial infection develops, or in people with compromised immune systems who develop "crusted scabies," a severe type of the disease. Conventional treatment may include creams containing permethrin, lindane or ivermectin, but these may have unpleasant side effects. Herbs may be effective home remedies for scabies. It is important to consult a health care professional before beginning herbal therapy.

Tea Tree

The tea tree, or Melaleuca alternifolia, is a medium-sized perennial native to Australia. Traditional healers use the essential oil in ointments and creams to treat skin infections, wounds, acne, and fungal infections like athlete's foot and thrush. The oil is also used in a diluted form as a mouthwash for upper respiratory infections and tonsillitis. Tea tree oil is rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, and has potent antibacterial and antifungal actions. The antimicrobial activity is due mainly to the monoterpene called terpinen-4-ol, which is a major component of the oil.

Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink state that the monoterpenes interact with cell membranes, damaging bacterial, viral and fungal cells. A study by Shelley F. Walton and colleagues published in the May 2004 issue of the "Archives of Dermatology" tested tea tree oil on a woman with crusted scabies. The study found that the oil worked twice as fast as permethrin and ivermectin, and the terpinen-4-ol was the most potent component. This study supports the traditional use of tea tree oil for skin conditions. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action. Tea tree oil should only be taken internally under the supervision of a qualified health care professional.

Aloe

Aloe, or aloe vera, is a green succulent with fleshy leaves filled with a medicinal gel. Traditional healers use the gel internally and topically to treat constipation, wounds, burns, infections, inflammation, and as a general skin tonic. The active ingredients include salicylic acid, amino acids, lectins and anthraquinones, and the plant has laxative, anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating actions. The component that affects scabies may be the anthraquinones because they have potent antimicrobial properties. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and Dr. James F. Balch recommend applying aloe gel directly on scabies lesions.

In two clinical trials, conducted by O. A. Oyelami and colleagues and published in the October 2009 issue of "Phytotherapy Research," researchers tested aloe gel for its actions against scabies, and then compared the gel to benzyl benzoate, a standard antiscabies drug with unpleasant side effects like skin irritation, burning and rash. The first trial showed that aloe gel significantly reduced itching and scabies lesions after the first application, and completely eliminated the mites and all symptoms after the second application. In the second trial, all but two patients in the aloe group and two in the benzyl benzoate group were still itching after the first application, but all of the mites were eliminated. After the second application, three benzyl benzoate patients and two aloe patients still had itching, but the skin lesions were mostly cleared up. This study shows that aloe gel is as effective as the chemical benzyl benzoate for treating scabies, but no side effects were reported in the aloe group. Further studies are needed to confirm these results. Aloe should not be used as a laxative on a long-term basis.

Pokeweed

Pokeweed, or Phytolacca americana, is a tall perennial herb with white flowers and clusters of purple berries native to North America. Traditionally, the plant is used for food and medicine. The root is useful in treating scabies, acne, rheumatism, pain, syphilis, diphtheria, excess mucus and swollen glands. Active ingredients include phytolaccosides A-G, phytolaccagenin, jaligonic acid, esculentic acid, astragalin, lectins and tannins. Pokeweed also contains an antiviral agent, called Pokeweed Antiviral Protein, or PAP, which may have some effect against blood cancers, like T-cell leukemia, lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease, and viruses such as retroviruses and the hepatitis C virus. Pokeweed acts on the skin, glands and mucus membranes, and has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, expectorant, emetic and purgative actions. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," herbalist David Hoffmann states that a lotion or ointment of the herb can be used externally to eliminate scabies. Holisticonline.com also recommends using pokeweed to treat scabies and other skin parasites. Pokeweed can be toxic if eaten raw or taken in large doses so it should be used only thoroughly cooked and in recommended doses. It may cause skin rashes upon contact in sensitive individuals.