Scabies is a parasitic skin condition caused by eight-legged mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. They settle just beneath the surface of your skin, laying eggs that cause an itchy skin rash or discomfort.
Various medical treatments are available, but some individuals may consider home remedies, such as Vaseline, as an alternative. There is a need for accessible and cost-effective healthcare solutions, especially in regions with limited healthcare access. So, it is essential to know: can you use Vaseline? Is it beneficial, or does Vaseline kill Scabies? Managing and preventing scabies infestations can be improved by balancing home remedies with professional medical guidance.
Scabies: What Is It?
A tiny organism causes Scabies, an itchy skin condition seen in humans in the evenings and at night, with itching of different grades becoming more intense. It is transmissible, and proximity is the most common way to transmit from skin-to-skin contact.
Can Vaseline kill Scabies? How Vaseline works
Vaseline or petroleum jelly is a standard household solution that has moisturizing powers.
The mite is the leading cause of Scabies. Vaseline alone can’t kill and control mites. It can work well with Sulphur, tea tree oil, shampoo, and 5% Permethrin cream to cover the affected area. However, you should consult with a qualified skin specialist before using any remedy that contains any toxic materials.
Some think applying Vaseline can help kill scabies mites and reduce symptoms. There’s no scientific proof to back up or disprove the idea that Vaseline helps to kill Scabies. However, some studies show that it might help stop the disease’s spread. Understanding Vaseline’s function in healing scabies and any potential drawbacks is crucial.
Vaseline’s effectiveness
Vaseline or petroleum jelly itself is not a proven treatment for Scabies, but it may help with some itching and dryness. The thickness of Vaseline can make it harder for the mites to migrate, but it is hard to kill them entirely. To successfully cure the mites, scabies patients must take particular medication and treatment.
Vaseline treatment limitations
Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is an affordable, readily available product with various domestic applications. It has a few limitations when treating demodex mites on humans. However, natural remedies have no side effects. So, you should think carefully before using it as the sole remedy for Scabies.
What can you mix with Vaseline to kill Scabies or rash?
No active chemicals in Vaseline alone can kill Scabies or rash. Vaseline with 10% Crotamiton cream can manage inflammation or Scabies and give beneficial results. A prevalent component in chemical pesticides is Sulphur. Sulfur cream is a fast and secure scabies treatment and you can apply it overnight. You can use Vaseline or petroleum jelly with Sulphur to kill Scabies fast. Sulfur-based shampoos and creams are widely available on the market.
According to Khudaier Al-Kayalli and Burooj Razooqi’s scabies patient research, Vaseline dramatically reduces human mite infection. To observe the effects, two groups of individuals with scabies infections received different ointments as part of their treatment.
The patient who had sulphur ointment treatment—which involved using additional Vaseline—showed no symptoms of reoccurrence.
People treated with Sulphur mixed with Clobetasol ointment had recurrent scabies infections.
So, combining sulphur-based medications with Vaseline will kill all mites and provide 100% results.
How to apply petroleum jelly or Vaseline to treat Scabies
Clear the space: Cleanse the affected area with warm water and a light soap before applying petroleum jelly or Vaseline. By doing this, you can help get rid of any dirt or oils that might make Vaseline stick harder to your skin.
Apply: After the skin has dried and cleaned, generously apply a thick coating of Vaseline. Ensure that the impacted areas are completely covered.
Cover the area: Use a bandage or plastic wrap to cover the area once Vaseline has been applied. It keeps the Vaseline from rubbing off on the sheets or clothing and helps hold it in place.
Leave it on: Try to leave the Vaseline on your skin for the entire night. It allows it enough time to choke out the mites.
Rinse off and repeat: Rinse off the Vaseline in the morning. Continue each night until the scabies disease symptoms subside.
Some home remedies for scabies treatment
There are other home remedies for scabies treatment you can use to kill scabies.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a well-known essential oil for scabies mites in people. It can relieve the itching and rashes associated with Scabies, but it is ineffective against the eggs buried under the skin itch.
10% Crotamiton cream
Crotamiton effectively kills the demodex mites that cause Scabies. Cratomiton creams contain scabicides and antipruritics. These effective drugs relieve pain and reduce skin sensitivity related to rash or Scabies. It can also help you become more relaxed about the itch. However, they don’t kill the mites completely.
Neem oil
Neem is another essential oil. It mainly found in ointments and creams. Neem has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic qualities.
It has been suggested that neem effectively treats Scabies because it kills the mites.
One investigation Trusted Source investigated neem’s effects on dogs. Using neem shampoo consistently for two weeks cured most of the dogs of Scabies. There was a significant improvement in the number of mites left in the skin of dogs that did not fully recover.
More research on humans is required to determine whether neem is an effective treatment for Scabies in humans.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera also helps to treat mites by reducing irritation and redness. It is widely known for its softness and soothing for sunburn and under-the-skin itch. One small piece of research has shown that using pure aloe vera and aloe vera-based products is effective for rash and Scabies.
Hot water
If someone has Scabies, they should wash all clothes, pillows, sheets, or other fabric that has come into contact with them or their skin. It is not a direct treatment for the condition, but helps to stop mites hiding in the cloth. This technique can also help stop them from spreading to other parts of their body or people.
When to visit a doctor
- It would help if you visited a doctor when you feel the flow.
- Unknown rash appears
- Scabies-specific symptoms appear
- When you come into contact with a scabies sufferer,
- An unusual rash that continues for more than a week
Also Read: 10 Best Ways To Remove Food Stuck In Wisdom Tooth Hole
How can you stop the spread of Scabies?
The following actions can help avoid scabies infection:
- Avoid coming into close touch with someone who has rash or Scabies.
- Never handle or come into contact with any clothing, bedding, or personal items used by a scabies victim.
- After washing the clothing, pillows, bedding, and towels in hot water at 50°C, let them air dry for ten to thirty minutes at a higher temperature in a dryer.
- Vacuum cleaning should be used to clean personal items that cannot be washed. On the other hand, a vacuum needs to be cleaned using bleach and hot water.
- Use hot water and bleach to clean any other surfaces.
- Remember that a mite can survive for three to four days after it falls off the body. Appropriate preventative measures must be followed to avoid the incidence of recurring infections.
Conclusion
Scabies infection can spread among family and friends. Treating Scabies can be challenging, but many home remedies and medical treatments can provide relief. If you are wondering can Vaseline kill Scabies, the answer is no. It cannot treat Scabies or fresh alone, but you can mix it with other essential oils or ointments that can give better results. It would help if you remember to seek medical advice from an expert before beginning any new treatment.
FAQs
What kills Scabies fast?
Permethrin cream is commonly used for treating Scabies. It is a skin lotion called permethrin. It contains chemicals that kills Scabies fast, removing mites and their eggs under the skin. Adults, those expecting or nursing, and kids older than two months old can use it. 25% benzyl benzoate (with or without tea tree oil) can also be used as a permethrin agent.
How do other people get Scabies?
Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or clothes, bed sheets, towels, sharing cots, and other household items can transfer Scabies from one person to another.
Is lemon and turmeric good for Scabies?
Turmeric, well-known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, is yet another fantastic treatment for Scabies. Add one tablespoon of turmeric and a few drops of lemon juice to make a smooth paste. After applying the paste and leaving it to rest for a few minutes, rinse it with warm water. It relieves rashes that are burning and under skin itch.
What does a Scabies lesion look like?
The skin sores known as Scabies resemble pimples. They are lifted, and a transparent liquid is inside. Blisters, gray lines, scales, and red skin patches are ordinary.
Which type of oil works best for Scabies?
Scabies can be effectively treated with neem oil. Scientific research indicates that the active ingredients in neem oil reduce scabies-related skin irritation and reduce inflammation. However, many essential oils like clove, lavender, nutmeg, tea tree, olive, or lemongrass can treat Scabies or rash.
