If you’ve ever felt an endless night of itching, you might be dealing with scabies. This tiny mite burrows under the skin, causing a rash that can spread fast. The good news? It’s treatable, and you can clear it up at home with the right products and a few clean‑up habits.
The go‑to option in most pharmacies is permethrin 5% cream. Apply a thin layer over your whole body, from neck down, leave it on for 8‑14 hours (usually overnight), then wash it off. A second application a week later wipes out any newly hatched mites.
If permethrin isn’t available or you can’t use it, benzyl benzoate lotion works too. Use it the same way—apply, wait a few hours, then rinse. For adults who prefer a pill, a single dose of oral ivermectin (200 µg/kg) is an effective alternative. Some doctors may combine a cream with ivermectin for stubborn cases.
Over‑the‑counter creams like crotamiton or prescription options such as malathion are also on the list, but they’re less common. Always follow the label or your doctor’s directions; missing a spot can let the infestation linger.
Medicine alone won’t finish the job if your environment stays contaminated. After you’ve applied the cream, wash all clothes, towels, and bedding in hot water (at least 50 °C/122 °F) and dry them on high heat. Items that can’t be washed—think stuffed toys—should be sealed in a plastic bag for a week; the mites can’t survive without a host that long.
Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture thoroughly. This removes any stray mites that might have fallen off the skin. If you share a living space, everyone should treat at the same time, even if they don’t have symptoms, to avoid passing the bug back and forth.
Some people try natural remedies like tea tree oil or neem oil. While a few small studies suggest they might calm itching, they don’t kill the mite reliably. Use them only as an add‑on for itch relief, not as the main cure.
Watch for signs that treatment didn’t work: persistent itch after two weeks, new burrows, or a rash that spreads. In that case, contact a healthcare professional— you may need a stronger dose or a different medication.
Bottom line: a proper scabies cream, a clean home, and a repeat dose if needed will get most people symptom‑free within a couple of weeks. Stay consistent, keep the environment clean, and the itching will be a thing of the past.
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