Many people who prefer to use natural healing products instead of those containing harsh chemicals use tea tree oil for scabies. Before using this type of treatment, talk to a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis and individualized medical advice. Pure tea tree oil is too harsh to use on the skin, so it must be diluted before application. It's important to wash all clothing, towels, and bedding thoroughly if you have scabies in order to prevent reinfestation.
Once scabies has been diagnosed and any underlying medical concerns have been addressed, you can start using tea tree oil. This oil is widely believed to have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, and many people have reported relief from scabies when using this treatment method. It is important to dilute the oil before you use it in order to avoid skin irritation.
The most common method of using tea tree oil for scabies is to add a few drops of the oil to bath water. Usually, about 1 tablespoon (14.7 ml) of tea tree oil is added to a tub of warm water. You can then soak in the tub for about half an hour, repeating the process two to three times per day until healed. Dry your skin thoroughly after getting out of the tub, and the towel and clothing worn before the bath should be tied up in a plastic bag until they are properly laundered in order to prevent the mites from migrating elsewhere.
After the skin has been dried following the bath, a small amount of tea tree oil can be mixed with equal parts of olive oil and gently applied to any affected areas of skin with a cotton ball. This mixture is left on the skin until the next bath. Some lotions are made with tea tree oil, and these are safe to use in place of the olive oil mixture.
After treating the scabies, all clothing, bedding, and towels should be washed in hot water and dried on the hottest setting on the dryer in order to kill any surviving mites. If symptoms persist or if skin irritation occurs, talk to a medical professional for further medical evaluation. Sometimes, stronger medications may be required. Using tea tree oil for scabies is generally considered safe for most people when used on the skin. If this product is accidentally ingested, a poison control center should be contacted right away.