Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMedical TreatmentOTC ReliefAt-Home ReliefReducing Spread
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Medical Treatment
OTC Relief
At-Home Relief
Reducing Spread
To get rid of scabies, a prescription anti-mite medication is essential to treatment. However, adding home remedies can help alleviate the symptoms as well as speed healing.
At-home treatments, like tea tree oil, oatmeal baths, and over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, work alongside prescription treatments to relieve itching and keep the human itch mite from spreading to others.
Medical Treatment of Scabies
The only way to get rid of scabies in 24 hours is to use a prescription cream or oralivermectin.Known as scabicides because they kill scabies, these creams contain:
Scabies is highly contagious. If a person isdiagnosedwith scabies, their household and intimate partners should betreatedas well.
In addition to prescription creams, you can use home remedies to help control the symptoms of scabies and keep an outbreak from spreading.
This is important for comfort since the itching from scabies can continue for two to four weeks, even after treatment has killed the mites.
When To Seek Medical Care
Over-the-Counter Medications To Reduce Symptoms
In addition to prescription scabicides, you can use over-the-counter medications to help with symptoms like itchiness. These might include:
At-Home Symptom Relief Options
Baking Soda Baths:As an alternative to oatmeal, try a cool bath with 2 ounces of baking soda added. This can help soothe skin and alleviate itching.
Cold Compresses:Putting a cold/cool compress on your skin can reduce itchiness. Try anice packor a cool, damp washcloth on areas of the body that are particularly itchy.
Avoid Soap:Soap can further irritate your skin when you have scabies. Wash with water, and avoid soap or scented lotions while your skin is inflamed.
Ways to Reduce Scabies Spread
In addition to treating yourself and your loved ones, it’s important to clean your home or living area to reduce the transmission of scabies.
Summary
While OTC medications and at-home remedies can help relieve scabies symptoms, prescription treatment is the only way to kill scabies and clear up the rash. Scabies symptoms can last up to four weeks after the mites have been killed.
Natural scabies treatments like tea tree oil, baking soda, or oatmeal baths, and applying an icepack can help relieve the intense itching from scabies and reduce the risk of transmission.
Scabies is highly contagious and can be asymptomatic. To prevent recurring infections, wash clothes and bedding in hot water, vacuum your furniture and floors, and treat everyone in the household.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of scabies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scabies: Diagnosis and treatment.Thomas J, Carson CF, Peterson GM, et al.Therapeutic potential of tea tree oil for scabies.The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2016;94(2):258. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.14-0515American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: what can relieve itchy eczema?Seattle Children’s Hospital.Scabies-itch mite rash.Luu LA, Flowers RH, Kellams AL, et al.Apple cider vinegar soaks [0.5%] as a treatment for atopic dermatitis do not improve skin barrier integrity.Pediatr Dermatol. 2019;36(5):634-639
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of scabies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scabies: Diagnosis and treatment.Thomas J, Carson CF, Peterson GM, et al.Therapeutic potential of tea tree oil for scabies.The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2016;94(2):258. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.14-0515American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: what can relieve itchy eczema?Seattle Children’s Hospital.Scabies-itch mite rash.Luu LA, Flowers RH, Kellams AL, et al.Apple cider vinegar soaks [0.5%] as a treatment for atopic dermatitis do not improve skin barrier integrity.Pediatr Dermatol. 2019;36(5):634-639
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of scabies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scabies: Diagnosis and treatment.Thomas J, Carson CF, Peterson GM, et al.Therapeutic potential of tea tree oil for scabies.The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2016;94(2):258. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.14-0515American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: what can relieve itchy eczema?Seattle Children’s Hospital.Scabies-itch mite rash.Luu LA, Flowers RH, Kellams AL, et al.Apple cider vinegar soaks [0.5%] as a treatment for atopic dermatitis do not improve skin barrier integrity.Pediatr Dermatol. 2019;36(5):634-639
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of scabies.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scabies: Diagnosis and treatment.
Thomas J, Carson CF, Peterson GM, et al.Therapeutic potential of tea tree oil for scabies.The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2016;94(2):258. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.14-0515
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: what can relieve itchy eczema?
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Scabies-itch mite rash.
Luu LA, Flowers RH, Kellams AL, et al.Apple cider vinegar soaks [0.5%] as a treatment for atopic dermatitis do not improve skin barrier integrity.Pediatr Dermatol. 2019;36(5):634-639
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