Scabies Treatment in Ayurveda

Scabies is a serious skin disease that includes sudden eruption of red rashes, itchiness, and severe skin irritation. It is a highly contagious disease that spreads with contact. The causing factor of this disease is a microscopic eight-legged mite called Sarcoptes scabies.

Therefore, if you know any person who has been diagnosed with scabies, you must avoid close physical contact with them. Generally, these mites affect small kids and young adults. Approx. 300 million people get infected by scabies globally every single year.

Scabies has just one type that is caused by infiltration by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. However, it is categorized into three subtypes based on the kind of infestation:

• Typical: It is the most common kind of infestation. The typical scabies results in itchy red rashes on common body parts like hands, wrists, etc.

• Nodular: It is the most discomforting form of infestation that grows in the dark, moist, and covered parts of the body like armpits, genitals, skin folds, etc.
• Norwegian Scabies: It is the most intense kind of scabies that results in the formation of crusted scabs commonly known as Norwegian scabies. It is highly contagious and severe, resulting in the development of thick crusts containing thousands of eggs and mites.

Female scabies lay eggs after burrowing under the human skin. Those burrows soon get filled with scabies larvae that slowly move over the skin surface and spread over other parts of the body. They also move on to those who come in close physical contact with the host. The host thus becomes the primary cause of scabies infection. Other such host-based causes include:

• Kids attending school with infected kids.
• Parents of kids infected with scabies.
• Sexually active people with multiple partners.
• People with weak immunity and those receiving implants.
• HIV/AIDS patients

Scabies is a contagious disease and people who are more inclined to get infected include:

• Skin to skin contact
• Sexual contact
• Those who share towels, sheets, and clothes with each other

There are several signs and symptoms of scabies. The most noticeable ones include:

• Sores: Sores appear on the areas where the scabies patient scratches multiple times. The open sores often result in impetigo, a secondary infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
• Rashes: As the scabies mites go deeper under the skin, they start forming burrow tracks. Most of these burrows are present in skin folds and look like skin patches, pimples, bites, or hives. They slowly grow to form blisters.
• Itching: It is one of the basic symptoms of scabies that gets worse at night or as the infection proceeds.

Scabies is diagnosed through a close examination of the skin. The doctor looks through the skin for signs of mites' presence and characteristic burrows. When a mite burrow is located, the doctor will take a scrap of skin and examine it under the microscope.

Apart from that, there is a Burrow Ink Test that can be very helpful in locating the mite burrows in the skin. The doctors perform this test by dropping some fountain pen ink over the infected skin and then wiping it away.

Doctors do not recommend any home remedies for scabies. However, there are a few things that can be done along with the regular treatment to alleviate the itching, irritation, and other discomforting symptoms.

• Turmeric: The curcumin present in turmeric is really effective in relieving the symptoms.
• Essential Oils: Clove oil happens to be a natural bug killer and can easily kill the mites underskin. The list includes nutmeg, lemongrass, and lavender that can be helpful in the cause.
• Aloe Vera: Its natural gel can cure the affected area and soothe the irritation and burning sensation out of it.

• Always use and wear clean and loose clothes, linens and towels. While washing the worn clothes, make sure you use hot water and dry the clothes in sunlight.
• Things that cannot be cleaned or washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for several weeks to kill the mites.
• Sterilize your home since the inception of treatment.

Because we can cure this disease effectively and permanently without chemicals, side effects and expensive treatment options. Ayurveda has long been a preferred option for all kinds of diseases including stubborn skin infections like scabies. At Prakash Nethralaya & Panchakarma Kendra, we offer Panchakarma and herbal treatment for all types of skin, eye, and general diseases. You can visit us in the hospital or book an online consultation at any time.