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Scabies -- The Seven-Year Itch
Scabies are caused by an infestation of a mite known as Sarcoptes scabei. Scabies is often called the seven-year itch because of the very itchy little bumps that appear, and the longevity of the infestation. The mite is a microscopic bug similar to a tick or chigger. They tunnel or borrow under the skin, leaving behind eggs, feces, and dead body parts. Although the victim may not have any itching or other reaction at first, once the person becomes sensitized, they will have an allergic reaction to the mites and their leavings which is in the form of a rash and and intense itching, most often at night when the mites are active. Sensitization can take up to 2 months after a person has been infested.
The burrows are generally found in warm, moist parts of the body, like the skin between fingers and toes, in the folds of the wrists, elbows, and shoulders, around the waist, and in the groin and genital areas. Although the mites can be transmitted between people, it usually takes a lot of contact between two people for the mites to transfer to a new host. But there is a new variant form which causes crusted scabies (called Norwegian) which can infest a new victim with minimal contact. The mites can live away from a person (on clothing or linens) or up to 4 days, and can infest another person that way as well.
Scabies is not a disease of the poor or unclean, nor is it something to be ashamed of; it can and does affect people of all social, economic and ethnic categories. Health care professionals can even pick up the mites from their patients.
Using Neem Oil products is one of the best and is the least irritating way to treat scabies. Although there are several prescription medicines to treat this problem, they are very harsh to the skin and body and may be dangerous to use because of their strong chemicals. These methods often fail to cure the problem or even relieve the itch. Quite often the symptoms are suppressed for a time, but as soon as the treatment is stopped, the itch is back because the mites have not been
eradicated.
Treatment It is recommended to shower using Neem
Maximum Strength Soap. Wash your hair thoroughly with Neem
Oil Shampoo, then towel dry your body and apply Neem Leaf &
Oil Lotion liberally. For cases that have been going on for some time or are widespread, it is recommend to use Cold Pressed Neem Oil
or Neem Leaf & Oil Cream on those areas that are more severe.
Important: Be sure to wash all your clothing and linens in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer as soon as possible. Some people bag up their clothing and linen in plastic bags for a week to help kill the mites.
This includes vacuuming or isolating any furniture that you have used.
Neem
Leaf Capsules may be taken to help build up the immune system to fight the secondary infection that often accompanies the rash.
Neem is not only safe to use, it is very good for your skin and will also help to disinfect and heal the bumps and rashes that are common with scabies.
Almost identical organisms may infest dogs and cats. To treat your pet, it is recommend to shampoo them with Neem
Pet Shampoo or any Neem Oil Soap, preferably on a daily basis, until the mites are gone.
Remember, Neem is a natural bug repellent, so Neem not only treats the rash and infection, but will help make the little bugs want to leave their host.
Azadirachtin in neem prevents mite reproduction and feeding.
Dr. Charles at the Medical and Cancer Research and Treatment Center in India gave the results of a study of 814 people treated with Neem. These people were treated with a scrub bath and an application of a paste made with ground Neem leaves and turmeric. The paste was rubbed all over the body and left to dry. The procedure was repeated daily until the patient was cured. The patient's clothing and bed linens were boiled each day as well. Of the 814 cases, 98% showed complete cure within 3 - 15 days of treatment. Those cases (95.8%) with localized lesions showed cure in 3 - 5 days. When lesions were all over the body and there was secondary infection, treatment needed for a cure was 6 - 15 days. Failure of treatment was only 2%. The reasons for failure were irregular application of the treatment.
Neem Disclaimer These products and the
information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure
or prevent any disease. Neem should not be taken by anyone who is
pregnant or trying to conceive (male or female). Neem contains
compounds similar to those in aspirin and should not be used to
treat children with fevers. We do not recommend taking Neem oil
internally. You should consult your personal physician or
naturopathic doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment of any
condition.
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