Does Aloe Vera kill scabies?
No, Aloe Vera does not kill scabies. Scabies is a condition that can only be eradicated with chemically constituted medications. These medications are usually recommended by physicians. We’d be looking at a number of them as we go down this text.
The only thing that Aloe Vera can help someone affected with scabies with is the soothing of the intense itching that happens mostly at night.
It also helps with the healing of whatever sunburn that occurs across the surface of the affected area.
You might wonder why only chemically constituted medications like sulfur ointment has the power to fully eradicate scabies. The reason is that scabies is a condition that is caused by eight-legged insects called mites.
These mites can only be eradicated by chemical means. The only things that home remedies like Aloe Vera can solve are the symptoms of the condition. These symptoms include the following;
- Redness of the affected area
- Swelling of the affected area
- Itching of the affected area
- Bumps, antibacterial infections, and hives
- Skin burrows along the affected area
Asides from Aloe Vera, other home remedies that work for Scabies include the following;
- Tea tree oil
The good thing about this oil is that it brings relief to the itching that happens mostly at night. Sometimes, it even helps to cure the rashes that occur as a result of the allergic reactions of the skin to the mites.
Characteristics of tea tree oil that are worthy for the treatment of scabies include its antibacterial properties, its anti-inflammatory properties, etc.
It has even been noted that tea tree oil will sometimes help with the eradication of mites that live in the skin.
However, before anyone continues with the usage of tea tree oil, it is better they ensure that they aren’t allergic to it.
If the symptoms the oil should cure worsen on application of the oil, it means you are allergic and should stop using it.
You can also get the best results by spraying some of this oil on your beddings and other materials that you use when affected.
- Neem
This home remedy is just as good as tea tree oil. It eradicates rashes, swelling across the skin, bacterial infections, etc.
Meanwhile, it does one thing that the tea tree oil doesn’t, and that is its ability to relieve pain. Neem has an analgesic property and is usually constituted into soaps, creams, and oils.
The pain could arise from frequent itching of the affected site, boils or bumps across the area, etc. In 1 out of 10 cases, Neem has also been shown to get rid of the mites responsible for scabies.
- Cayenne pepper
Working with cayenne pepper for scabies can fetch you really amazing results. But then, you have to be sure that you aren’t allergic to it.
That is why it is recommended that you run a test with the pepper skin patch first before applying it to your whole body. What cayenne pepper does is to relieve the itching that occurs at the affected site.
Asides from that, it also has analgesic properties, in that it wards off pain that arises from the bumps or swelling across the surface.
The ability of cayenne pepper to carry out these two functions lies in it being able to temporarily desensitize the topical neurons along the affected area—a local anesthetic. That way, you are unable to feel anything.
- Clove oil
This oil has several amazing functions! Asides from getting rid of pain by desensitizing the topical neurons of the affected area, it can also help with antibacterial infections that occur along the site.
When the itching becomes very intense, the affected person continues to scratch the area, leading to the formation of bruises and skin cuts.
These cuts mess with the defense line of the skin and make it open to invading bacteria and other disease-causing organisms.
Clove oil also works as an antioxidant, making it one of the most effective home remedies for scabies.
Other home remedies that people integrate into their normal medication routine include lavender, thyme, peppermint, lemon grass, nutmeg, etc.
Note that these medications only help deal with the symptoms of the scabies condition. They may also help with the eradication of the mites, but it would only be done lightly.
How does Aloe Vera kill scabies?
Aloe Vera does not kill scabies. It only helps with the relief of the itching that occurs along the surface of the affected skin.
Let’s see how these mites work their way through the skin to understand why Aloe Vera won’t be able to eradicate them. The first thing that happens is that a female mite lands on the skin of the individual.
From there, it begins to burrow into the layers of tissue comprising the upper skin. Once it reaches a safe distance away from the uppermost layer, it lays its eggs, two per day.
These eggs hatch into larva and these larvae immediately find their way out. They crawl back to the surface of the skin and then, make their way to the hair follicles.
It is there they continue their life cycle and derive whatever nutrients they need for complete metamorphosis. The larva matures into the nymph and the nymph matures into the adult mite.
These adult mites remain on the surface of the skin to feed for a while before crawling off the body to the surrounding materials.
Aloe Vera is more of water (almost 90%) and gel. It doesn’t contain any chemical constituent that makes it effective for the eradication of the mites.
However, due to its effectiveness at bringing relief to the affected person, it is sometimes included as constituents of some medication. For example, benzyl benzoate has Aloe Vera as one of its constituents.
How fast does Aloe Vera kill scabies?
Aloe Vera doesn’t kill scabies, but then, it would bring relief to the affected person minutes after topical application. You can get Aloe Vera from stores close to you, or work with the natural leaves. All you need to do is rinse the spongy leaf, peel off the thin inner layer, then use a spoon to scoop the gel into a bowl. From there, you can apply it to your skin.
Does Aloe Vera kill scabies eggs?
No, Aloe Vera doesn’t kill scabies eggs. Medications that work fully to achieve that purpose include the following;
- Antihistamines
Antihistamines like Benadryl which helps to bring relieve to the itching caused by the mites. Note that the itching felt is as a result of the body’s immune response to the mites present in the skin.
It’s more like the body sending you a signal that something strange is going on across your skin.
- Antibiotics
Antibiotics help you get rid of antibacterial infections that occur as a result of the scratches along the surface of the skin. These scratches make the skin defenseless against the invading organisms.
- Steroid creams
Steroid creams also help with the eradication of the swelling and itching that occurs at the affected site.
- Sulfur ointment
Sulfur ointment works to suffocate the mites, consequently killing them. Sulfur ointment is best applied in the night, because it can be quite uncomfortable wearing it in the day.
It has this sticky and hot feel against the skin.
- Permethrin cream
This cream is very efficient in eradicating mites and the eggs they’ve laid. Usually, it completely eradicates the mites within a period of three to four days. It can be used by children above the age of two months.
- Ivermectin
This medication is also known as Stromectol. The difference between Ivermectin and other medications for scabies lies in its mode of application.
It is taken orally and will only be prescribed by a physician when the scabies has taken on a very severe form—crusted scabies. It is also recommended for people who have an already weak immune system.
For example, people with HIV/AIDS, the aged people, etc.
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