Scabies is caused by an eight-legged microscopic-sized mite with the biological name of Sarcoptes scabiei. This mite burrows its way into the human epidermis of the skin and then reproduces. Its full reproductive cycle which includes the production of eggs, mites and the waste material is deposited in the epidermis and causes major discomfort which is marked by a red itchy rash. The incubation period between infection and the appearance of the rash is between two to six weeks and the infected individual is very contagious during this period.

Scabies can unfortunately survive in materials like bed linens, upholstery and clothing for up to three days without having a human host. The resilience of this mite means that casual over-the-counter products and home remedies are not very helpful in killing the mite and wearing clothing that has the scabies mite hidden within it, increases the chances of the human host becoming re-infested. The scabies mite, being highly contagious, can easily be transferred between persons who are in close contact or who share clothing.

Soothing Scabies

Topical medications usually have to be prescribed by a medical doctor and usually include a scabicide to kill the scabies mite and both an antihistamine and hydrocortisone to control the itching. This mediation kills the scabies and by extension the infection is allowed to heal as the itching is then brought under control. Several weeks can pass in which the scabies patient will continue to itch while the body tries to eliminate all of the harmful effects of the mites’ former presence. Calamine lotion can also be used to soothe the itching.

When applying the scabicide, the cream or ointment is usually applied over the entire body from the area of the neck down to the toes and left on for a little more than eight hours. The mite then has no real way to run and usually one eight-hour application in this manner is enough to kill the mites. The cream or ointment form of Permethrin or Sulphur must be used as these are proven effective against scabies.

Itching normally persists for many more weeks so the use of over the counter antihistamines, calamine lotion and cool water to bathe in, will go a long way to soothing the infected body.

Affected Personal Items

The female mite is prolific and lays two to three eggs a day into the skin’s epidermis. Once a female has mated she does not have to mate again within her reproductive cycle. This is where the hidden dangers lie and to win the battle you have to keep ahead of the game. Launder fabrics and clothing frequently and set the dryer at the highest heat level because scabies mites do not like heat and cannot survive the heated conditions of the dryer.

Those items that cannot be laundered should be dry cleaned and any item that cannot be laundered or dry cleaned at all, should be isolated from human contact for just over a week to kill the scabies mites which cannot survive for this length of time without a human host, and as a result will die of starvation.

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Naturasil sulfur soaps and scabies creams do work as they are made specifically to kill the scabies mites. It is guaranteed to kill on contact!