Scabies is a highly contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin, causing intense itching and discomfort. While conventional treatment is essential for eradicating the infestation, naturopathic approaches can support skin healing, reduce inflammation, and help prevent recurrence. Here's everything you need to know about recognizing, treating, and recovering from scabies.
What Is Scabies?
Scabies is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, a microscopic eight-legged parasite that burrows into the upper layer of human skin to live and lay eggs. The mites are spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, making it common in households, care facilities, and close-contact environments.
Key facts about scabies:
- Highly contagious: Spreads easily through direct, prolonged physical contact
- Delayed symptoms: First-time infections may take 4-8 weeks before itching begins
- Affects anyone: Scabies can affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and hygiene levels
- Treatable: With proper treatment, scabies can be completely eliminated
Recognizing Scabies Symptoms
The hallmark symptom of scabies is intense itching, often worse at night. Other signs include:
Common Symptoms
- Severe itching: Particularly intense at night or after hot showers
- Pimple-like rash: Small red bumps, blisters, or scales on the skin
- Burrow tracks: Thin, irregular grayish-white or skin-colored lines on the skin surface
- Sores: From scratching, which can become infected with bacteria
Common Affected Areas
- Between fingers and toes
- Wrists, elbows, and armpits
- Waistline and belt area
- Around the nipples (in women)
- Genital area (in men)
- Buttocks and inner thighs
Important Note
In infants, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, scabies can affect the head, face, neck, palms, and soles—areas typically spared in healthy adults.
Conventional Treatment Options
Medical treatment is essential for eliminating scabies mites. A healthcare provider may prescribe:
Topical Treatments
- Permethrin cream (5%): The most commonly prescribed first-line treatment, applied from neck to toes and left on for 8-14 hours
- Sulfur ointment (5-10%): Safe for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and infants under 2 months
- Crotamiton cream or lotion: Less effective but may be used in certain cases
- Benzyl benzoate: Available in some countries as an alternative treatment
Oral Medications
- Ivermectin: An oral antiparasitic medication, often used for crusted scabies or when topical treatments fail. Usually given as a single dose, repeated in 1-2 weeks
For Symptom Relief
- Antihistamines to reduce itching
- Topical corticosteroids for inflammation (after mite treatment)
- Antibiotics if secondary bacterial infection develops
Natural Support for Scabies Recovery
While conventional treatment eliminates the mites, naturopathic approaches can support skin healing, soothe irritation, and strengthen the body's defenses. These should complement, not replace, medical treatment.
1. Soothing Skin Remedies
- Colloidal oatmeal baths: Helps calm itching and inflammation
- Aloe vera gel: Cooling, anti-inflammatory, and promotes skin healing
- Calendula cream: Gentle, wound-healing properties for damaged skin
- Chamomile compresses: Anti-inflammatory and soothing for irritated skin
2. Essential Oils (Use with Caution)
Some essential oils have shown acaricidal (mite-killing) properties in studies, though more research is needed. Always dilute properly and patch test first:
- Tea tree oil: Has demonstrated activity against scabies mites in laboratory studies
- Clove oil: Contains eugenol with potential acaricidal effects
- Neem oil: Traditional remedy with anti-parasitic properties
- Lavender oil: Soothing and may have mild anti-parasitic effects
3. Immune System Support
A strong immune system helps your body respond to infection and heal faster:
- Vitamin C: Supports immune function and skin repair
- Zinc: Essential for skin healing and immune response
- Vitamin D: Supports skin health and immune regulation
- Probiotics: Support overall immune function through gut health
4. Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition
- Increase omega-3 rich foods (fatty fish, flaxseeds, walnuts)
- Eat colorful fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants
- Include turmeric and ginger for natural anti-inflammatory effects
- Stay well-hydrated to support skin health
- Reduce sugar and processed foods that can promote inflammation
Preventing Scabies Spread and Recurrence
Proper environmental cleaning is crucial to prevent re-infestation:
Household Measures
- Wash all bedding and clothing: Use hot water (at least 50°C/122°F) and dry on high heat
- Vacuum thoroughly: Carpets, furniture, and mattresses
- Seal items that can't be washed: Place in plastic bags for 72 hours (mites die without human contact)
- Treat all household members: Even if asymptomatic, to prevent passing mites back and forth
Personal Prevention
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals until treatment is complete
- Don't share towels, clothing, or bedding
- Complete the full course of prescribed treatment
- Follow up with your healthcare provider if symptoms persist after 2-4 weeks
When to Seek Medical Care
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:
- Intense itching that disrupts sleep or daily activities
- Signs of bacterial infection: increased redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever
- Symptoms continuing more than 2-4 weeks after completing treatment
- Crusted (Norwegian) scabies: thick, grayish crusts on skin, often in immunocompromised individuals
Key Takeaways
- Scabies is highly treatable with prescribed medications—seek medical care for proper diagnosis
- Treat all household members simultaneously to prevent re-infestation
- Natural remedies can support skin healing but should not replace medical treatment
- Itching may persist for 2-4 weeks after successful treatment due to allergic reaction to mite debris
- Proper environmental cleaning is essential to prevent recurrence
Need Support for Skin Health?
If you're dealing with scabies, persistent skin issues, or want to support your skin's natural healing processes, our naturopathic team can help. We offer integrative approaches that work alongside conventional treatment to optimize your skin health, reduce inflammation, and support overall immune function.