Scabies remedies: what actually works and how to stop it spreading

Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into skin. The good news: it’s treatable. The tricky part: you must treat both the person and the environment to avoid coming back. Below are clear, practical options you can use now.

Medical treatments

First-line therapy is usually permethrin 5% cream. Apply from neck down (include scalp and face for infants and elderly), rub it into all skin creases, leave on for 8–14 hours, then wash off. Many doctors recommend repeating once after 7 days to kill newly hatched mites.

Oral ivermectin is another proven option. The common dose is 200 mcg/kg as a single dose, repeated after 7–14 days in many cases. Ivermectin is helpful for outbreaks, hard-to-treat cases, or when topical creams aren’t practical. It’s not recommended for pregnant women or very small children—check with a clinician.

For pregnant women and young infants, sulfur ointment (5–10%) is often used because it’s safer than some other drugs. Avoid lindane—because of its rare but serious nerve effects—and always follow medical advice about which product fits your situation.

Practical home care and preventing reinfestation

Treat household contacts at the same time, even if they have no symptoms. Scabies can incubate for weeks, and untreated people will re-infect you.

Wash bedding, towels, and clothing worn in the last 2–3 days in hot water (≥60°C) and dry on high heat. Items that can’t be washed should be sealed in plastic for at least 72 hours—mites don’t survive long off the body. Vacuum furniture and mattresses; you don’t need special sprays.

Expect itching to continue for 2–4 weeks after successful treatment. This is post-scabetic itch and doesn’t always mean treatment failed. Use antihistamines at night, mild topical steroid cream for inflamed spots, and emollients to soothe skin. If new burrows or live mites appear after treatment, contact your doctor—retreatment may be needed.

Avoid relying on unproven home remedies like essential oil alone. Some oils can irritate skin or cause allergic reactions. If you want to use complementary measures, discuss them with your clinician so they don’t interfere with proven treatment.

See a doctor quickly if you have crusted (thick, scaly) scabies, a weakened immune system, or if whole-house outbreaks occur. Crusted scabies needs stronger, combined treatment and often public-health involvement.

Stick to the steps above, treat close contacts, and clean personal items. That combo gives you the best shot at clearing scabies and stopping it from coming back.