Neem Oil for Scabies

Scabies is an itchy skin condition, caused due to infection by the ectoparasite, Sarcoptes scabiei. Invisible to our naked eye, this tiny mite can be detected with a magnifying glass. The signs of scabies are superficial burrows in the skin and intense itching at the infested sites. In some people, the symptoms are so severe that they cannot sleep at night. In fact, those who have been through with this skin disorder only know the extent of itching caused by scabies mite.

Though the major reason for causing scabies is poor hygiene, everybody can get infected with scabies mite. And the worst part is that this ectoparasite can spread to other body parts and also, from one infected person to another through direct skin contact. Therapeutic treatment for scabies include applying topical ointments and advocating oral medicines. Nevertheless, there are also scabies home remedies, effective to treat the itching symptoms and kill the causal organism. One such alternative is using neem oil for scabies, which has been practiced as a conventional treatment for many years. Know more on neem oil - natural cure for eczema.

Neem Oil: A Scabies Treatment

Neem oil, extracted from the seeds of Azadirachta indica plant, is bitter in taste, strongly fragrant and light to dark brown in color. It holds a very important place in herbal medicine, especially because of its antibacterial, anti inflammatory and healing properties. This curative action of neem oil is due to presence of high percentage of triterpenoids, triglycerides and other steroid compounds. When applied over the scabies infected areas, it penetrates the skin and kills the mites. Besides this, neem oil relives itching, gives a soothing effect to the skin, reduces pain and prevent secondary infections. Know more on neem oil benefits.

How to Use Neem Oil for Scabies?

Most of the therapeutic medications prescribed for treating scabies are very strong, which at times, result in temporary to long-term side effects. Also, with repeated usage for many years, the scabies mites are already resistant to some medicines. In such cases, it is of no use taking those medicines. Neem oil, on the other hand, is still effective to treat scabies without any adverse effects. You can use neem oil for scabies treatment in the following ways:

Neem Oil in Bathing: In a bathtub filled with water, add some amount of neem leaf tincture (if available) and 2 tablespoons of pure neem oil. Soak yourself in the bathtub for at least 15 minutes. Doing so will give you relief from pain and itching symptoms of scabies. After bath, apply a good quality neem based lotion to treat scabies.

Direct Neem Oil Application: Another effectual method is direct application of concentrated neem oil for scabies management. This will reduce inflammation and provide an instant relief from the discomfort symptoms of scabies. For more effectiveness, it is advisable take saltwater bath before using neem oil topically.

Neem Oil and Turmeric: Using neem oil and turmeric paste for treating scabies has shown prompt results in more than 90 percent patients, within 3 - 15 days. You can take turmeric first and add neem oil drop by drop, while stirring continuously until you get a thick paste. Apply this paste over the scabies infected sites several times a day and your scabies symptoms will be cured within a few days. Know more on skin care.

Neem Oil Products: In case, you cannot get neem oil right away, consider using neem oil soap for scabies. Over-the-counter neem oil capsules are also available in drug stores, which help in combating scabies. But, it is to be borne in mind that neem capsules are temporary treatment alternatives and should not be administered frequently. Know more on neem oil: facts and products.

This way, you can rely on neem oil for scabies cure, rather than going for therapeutic intervention. Practice neem oil treatment for scabies and spare yourself from the harmful effects of chemical formulations, while ensuring a healthy skin. However, if symptoms of scabies do not subside after several days of using neem oil, seek advice from a qualified dermatologist and get necessary treatments. By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani