10 Ways to Get Burrowing Mites Out of Skin

The following information is not intended to replace doctor visits. Topical permethrin is still the drug of choice for the treatment of burrowing skin mites. Natural remedies exist for those who've stopped responding to mainstream treatments and those who may be sensitive to chemicals.

As a pest control consultant specializing in flea, mite and bedbug infestations, I've spoken to thousands of mite victims since 2009, some of whom contracted their skin problems working in medical and veterinary clinics. My pest control clients have always been happy to contribute skin tips so that I might share them with others, but please understand that different people have different sensitivities. Discuss your self-care plan with a doctor before beginning a new regimen. Do a patch test before applying new treatments over large areas of the body, and stop using any formulation that causes irritation.

1. Mix sulfur powder with real aloe vera gel

This tip came to me from an animal rescue enthusiast with a background in veterinary medicine. Her favorite method was to shave animals with sarcoptic mange and apply the past to their skin. Sulfur is often prescribed by doctors to treat acne, scabies, psoriasis, eczema and fungal infections. Sulfur powder can be mixed with water, coconut oil or or aloe. If your skin is dry or cracked, an oil based mixing agent may be preferable. If your skin tends to be oily or acne prone, aloe can help control those conditions without contributing excess oil.

First, you'll need a food scale to measure .65 ounces of sulfur.

Next, you'll need a bag of organic sulfur powder.

Finally, you'll need 3/4 cup of 100% aloe vera gel.

Why Aloe? In holistic circles, aloe is associated with the treatment of acne, parasites, sunburns and fungal skin infections. One study concluded that aloe vera gel was as effective as benzyl benzonate in the treatment of scabies. (Source). When shopping for a good brand, be sure to read the list of ingredients to determine that it's 100% aloe minus any additives to cut production costs.

2. Try This Famous Doctor's Recipe for Treating Scabies

Source: https://draxe.com/beauty/scabies-cream/

2 ounces of neem oil plus:

1 ounce of ground turmeric plus:

10 drops of tea tree oil plus:

1 ounce of coconut oil plus:

1 ounce of lemon juice

3. Recipe for Aloe Vera Skin Spray with Essential Oils

Click the image at left to find our page on making aloe vera skin spray.

4. Bentonite Clay Combined with Apple Cider Vinegar

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For centuries, bentonite clay has been used to battle bacterial, fungal and parasitic skin conditions. It's often mixed with apple cider vinegar to amplify antiseptic properties. Bentonite clay has an ionic charge. Acting like a magnet, this type of clay attaches itself to toxins and pulls them out of the skin so that they can be rinsed away. Be sure to let the mask dry completely before rinsing. The "pulling" action starts when the dry product begins to tug at the skin. Important: This method is not a scabies "treatment" or "cure." Bentonite clay is purported to relieve itching by helping to pull toxins out of the skin. Female mites inject a toxic saliva into their hosts. This paralyzes the host and allows the mite to feed. Rinse skin thoroughly after masking and allow skin to dry completely before applying any other topical treatments.

5. Thieves oil blends five powerful oils that smell delicious

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If you're looking for a nice smelling oil that won't leave you smelling like a medicine chest all day at work, thieves oil could be the answer to your prayers. In recent years, this ancient blend has become popular among people battling colds, nail fungus and skin parasites. I've noticed a trend among medical professionals who use this oil to avoid smelling like they're under treatment for parasites. Thieves oil is also purported to help prevent users from picking up cold and flu pathogens, but there are no conclusive studies to support this claim.

LIST OF INGREDIENTS: Cinnamon oil, clove oil, lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil

6. Muscle oil blends five parasite fighting oils that sooth itching

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This 100% pure and undiluted product contains five hard-hitting essential oils commonly associated with the killing of bacteria, fungus and parasites. It doesn't smell as nice as thieves oil, but it delivers a refreshing tingle and soothes itching. On the downside, this blend imparts a powerful odor that will alert coworkers that you're under treatment for something.

LIST OF INGREDIENTS: Camphor, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rosemary and wintergreen.

IMPORTANT: Note that essential oils may irritate skin when applied full strength. Mix them with witch hazel to form a spray. The amount of oil needed will depend upon the individual. Start by using the recommend dosage on the bottle and gradually increase if necessary. Many mite warriors claim to use essential oils full strength, while others mix oils with carrier agents like vodka, witch hazel, aloe or coconut oil.

7. This cedar oil concentrate is used to soak and bathe animals

For more than 20 years, pet owners and veterinarians have trusted this product to wash and soak animals afflicted with mites. The formula can also be added to laundry water to help kill mites in the wash. Detergents and hot water alone don't always kill parasites in the laundry. When scabies outbreaks occur in nursing homes and other institutions where bedridden patients have no skin-to-skin contact, the laundry is usually blamed for transmission. Over a twelve year period, I have received thousands of phone calls from frustrated callers who claim that they can feel pricks and crawling sensations coming from laundered clothing that comes straight out of the dryer. As a general rule, infested laundry should be soaked for an hour in Boax before washing. A cap full of Vet's Choice Concentrate can be added along with the Borax. When soaking thick items such as blankets and sweaters, add two caps of Vet's Choice Concentrate.

8. Boric Acid with Hydrogen Peroxide

For many years, mite warriors on popular forums such as the Earth Clinic have circulated a formula containing boric acid and hydrogen peroxide. I have yet to find a study that backs up the efficacy of this method, but I've encountered callers who swear by it. Mix 1/4 cup of boric acid, 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 2 cups of warm water. Put the solution into a spray bottle. Consult a doctor before trying any self-care method, and do a patch test on the wrist before applying to wide areas of the body. Note: For treatment of skin and hair, choose a 100% pure boric acid product (example at left). Borax laundry detergent and boric acid powder are not exactly the same. When considering the compounds themselves, boric acid has a larger concentration of boron. That means boric acid is stronger than Borax. (Boric acid has 17.48 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid) and Borax has 11.34% (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax.) For skin treatment applications, choose boric acid. For treatment of laundry, choose Borax.

9. Try the bandage trick

When applying salves or creams, it can be extremely helpful to bandage the parasite afflicted area. This tip originally came to me from an animal rescue enthusiast with a background in veterinary medicine. After a good shaving to remove fur, she applied a salve made of sulfur and aloe then wrapped her mite afflicted animals in bandages. Bandages help keep ointments close to the skin and prevent evaporation of pest controlling fumes. Don't think that you must wrap your entire body in bandages before going to bed at night. Target specific areas of the body that seem to be more irritated than others. For example, you may wish to wrap your arm and monitor the progress before wrapping your leg and so on.

10. Bee propolis shows promise in studies with mange mites

Bees make a variety of substances to fight bacteria, fungus and parasites, and propolis is the glue that holds the hive together. In one study involving rabbits, topical application of 10% Propolis ointment showed complete recovery from clinical signs and complete absence of mites in microscopic examinations occurring after 10-15 days of treatment. Conclusions: 10% Propolis ointment has antisarcoptic mange effects and may be used in clinical applications. (Source). If you're unable to find a good bee propolis ointment, you can mix bee propolis extract with aloe or coconut oil. You can also break bee propolis capsules and mix the contents with your preferred carrier agent.

Some Great Soap Products to Try

Medicated soap is important, but I want to stress that soap products are designed to be washed away. For consistent round-the-clock treatment of mite afflicted skin, go for salves or lotions. Soap products are not likely to solve deep parasitic issues on their own, but they CAN kill mites on the surface of skin and serve as a compliment to leave-on treatments.

Oregano oil soap is still a popular choice for shower time

Sulfur soap is another popular option

Again, I want to stress that all soaps are designed to be washed away. For consistent round-the-clock treatment of mite afflicted skin, go for sulfur salves, sprays and ointments. Soap products are not likely to solve deep parasitic issues on their own.

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Contact Information

For a free consultation regarding advanced mite eradication methods in homes, call (734) 782-5205.

Tip for folks on a tight budget:

If you're on a tight budget, this $16 kit provides a brilliant and inexpensive way to sample many of the the most powerful oils used against skin conditions involving bacteria, fungus and parasites. The kit contains pure and undiluted Lavendar, Tea Tree, Rosemary, Peppermint, Frankincense, Eucalyptus, Lemon and Orange.