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Scabies

Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. It is common all over the world, and can affect anyone. Scabies spreads quickly in crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people. Hospitals, child-care centers, and nursing homes are examples. Scabies can easily infect sex partners and other household members. Sharing clothes, towels, and bedding can sometimes spread scabies. This can happen much more easily when the infested person has crusted scabies. You cannot get scabies from a pet. Pets get a different mite infection called mange.

Symptoms are:

  • Pimple-like irritations or a rash
  • Intense itching, especially at night
  • Sores caused by scratching

Your health care provider diagnoses scabies by looking at the skin rash and finding burrows in the skin.

Several lotions are available to treat scabies. The infected person's clothes, bedding and towels should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer. Treatment is also recommended for household members and sexual partners.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Felter's Materia Medica on Scabies

BALSAMUM PERUVIANUM
   A balsam obtained from Toluifera Pereirae (Royle) Baillon. San Salvador in Central America; called Balsam of Peru because first exported to Europe... / ...Therapy.—External. Balsam of Peru is a good parasiticide and has given the best of satisfaction in scabies and for the destruction of lice. For the former it may be combined with the sulphurated oint... / ...balsam should not be used in inflammatory or febrile conditions; and its use should be discontinued if it produces gastro-intestinal irritation.1

PIX LIQUIDA
   Tar, Pine Tar. A liquid obtained by the destructive distillation of the wood of Pinus palustris, Miller, and other species of Pinus (Nat. Ord.... / ..., sycosis, lupus vulgaris and erythematosus, pemphigus, tinea capitis and other forms of ringworm, scabies, and boils. Some persons are very susceptible to tar, an erythema following the application ... / ...a disposition to hemorrhages. Syrup of wild cherry added to tar water or the syrup of tar makes a useful cough remedy for chronic bronchitis.1

STAPHISAGRIA
   The ripe seeds of Delphinium Staphisagria, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). Mediterranean Basin; cultivated. Dose, 1 to 2 grains. Common Name:... / ...ct, and then with caution as to quantity. It is also said to be fatal to the itch mite which causes scabies. Internal. Staphisagria is sedative and a remedy of limited power in irritation of the mucou... / ...The indications for staphisagria, as concisely stated by us in the American Dispensatory, are given here under Specific Indications.1


WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Physician's Materia Medica on Scabies

SULPHUR (Sulfur)
   Laxative, alterative, antiseptic. Used in constipation with hemorrhoids, as a laxative in stricture of the bowels, in chronic rheumatism; externally in skin diseases such as scabies, and as a local application in diphtheria. Dose, 4 to 12 Grm. (1 to 3 drachrus},2


WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Scabies

SCABIES
   Apply parasiticideointments; sulphur, naphthol, mercuric chlo ridaammoniated mercury, potassium a1senite (Fowler's solution) are among the most eflicient, and sulphur in some form is that commonly selected.2


References

1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.