Soaps for scabies and post-bath skin care tips

Scabies or scabies is a skin disease caused by infection with mites Sarcoptes scabiei . The mites live and lay their eggs in the skin, causing skin rashes and itching. The best way to deal with this condition is to use drugs that are prescribed by a doctor. In addition, bathing with a certain formula, such as sulfur soap, is equally effective in helping to control the symptoms of scabies.

The right soap formula to treat scabies

A rash in the form of rashes or red rashes caused by the mite that causes scabies can cause irritating itching, especially at night.

Apart from topical treatments such as phermethrin ointment , Home skin care can also help relieve scabies symptoms. Bathing using a specially formulated soap for scabies does not immediately stop the infection and kills the mites. However, the right soap can reduce the itching and burning you feel due to scabies.

So, what kind of soap formula can help to relieve scabies?

1. Sulfur soap

The sulfur content is most often found in anti-acne creams. Creams containing sulfur have the ability to remove excess oil and dirt that causes acne from the surface of the skin thoroughly.

However, sulfur soap can also be used to help relieve the symptoms of scabies. The sulfur or sulfur content in soap can be used to relieve unbearable itching.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are proper bathing methods to get the maximum effect of sulfur soap for scabies, namely:

1. Take a warm shower with sulfur soap.
2. On the part of the skin affected by scabies, wash it gently with sulfur soap and rinse thoroughly.
3. Gently rub the sulfur soap again on the scabies rash for a few minutes.
4. Without rinsing it again, clean the peeling skin using a towel or tissue.

This soap is very easy to obtain in various pharmacies and supermarkets.

Things that need to be considered in the use of sulfur soap

Soap with sulfur content is safe for children and adults with scabies. Until now, there are no adequate research results for the risks of using sulfur content in pregnant and lactating women.

However, you should not use it regularly and for a long time. You still need to pay attention to the dosage limits that are medically recommended.

The recommended dosage of sulfur soap content in the treatment of scabies is 6-10% for use once a day for three days.

Sulfur soaps generally do not pose a significant risk of side effects. However, if you have an allergic reaction due to using soap for scabies, stop using it immediately and notify your doctor.

2. Soap with monosulfiram for scabies

Monosulfiram is a substance that since 1942 has been used as the main ingredient in scabies medicines. As a scabies remedy, monosulfiram is usually applied all over the body after bathing for two to three consecutive days.

According to the article with the title Treatment of scabies: newer perspectives, soaps containing monosulfiram have been used to prevent the spread of scabies in infected environments.

Skin care and hygiene habits to overcome scabies

Apart from using soap with a certain formula, several efforts can also be made to help restore the health of the skin affected by scabies.

Scabies or scabies is often associated with the adoption of an unclean or dirty lifestyle. In fact, the main cause of this disease is not related to hygiene, but rather the transmission of parasitic insects that cause scabies, namely mites Sarcoptes scabiei.

1. Compress the scabies skin rash

One simple way to help relieve itching from scabies is with a cold compress. Compress can be made with ice cubes mixed with water. When you feel itching, apply this compress to the surface of the skin until it subsides more.

Humid room conditions and hot temperatures can often worsen scabies symptoms. To fix this, try to cool your body by resting in a cooler room or using air conditioning and fans.

2. Keep skin moist with lotion

Non-cosmetic lotions or creams that do not contain fragrances such as hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl cream, and Caladryl lotion contain formulas that can temporarily relieve itching. When the scabies heals, this lotion can also return to the moisture of the skin affected by scabies.

3. Stop the habit of scratching

Medical treatments, special soaps for scabies or applying skin treatments like the one above will be less effective if you don't stop the habit of scratching.

Skin that is itchy when you keep scratching it can become irritated. Skin conditions that are irritated and injured are more prone to infections caused by bacteria that cause other infectious skin diseases, one of which is the strep bacteria that causes impetigo.

Some ways you can do to stop this habit are:

• Protect the affected area with a bandage, but make sure to keep it clean and dry.
• Avoid tight and rough clothes that trigger itching at night and switch to wearing soft clothing.
• Routine nail cutting.
• Use gloves, especially when sleeping at night.

4. Not borrowing goods from each other

The mites that cause scabies can also be transmitted through personal items that are used interchangeably such as clothes, towels, or bed sheets. Mites can stick to fabrics, clothes, sheets, and towels.

The number of mites living in your skin can increase if you use these items at the same time as someone who has scabies. Therefore, you need to use these items independently and not share the same room with other scabies sufferers.

5. Wash clothes separately

Finally, it is important for you to regularly wash properly all clothes and sheets used to avoid recurring scabies infections.

The way to get rid of mites is to wash everything that sticks to the skin using a cleansing soap or anti-mite detergent and hot water.

For items that cannot be washed, you can put items in a closed plastic wrap and place them hard to reach for at least 72 hours.

The use of soap for scabies and skin care is important, especially for those of you who live or have full activities in closed communal environments, such as dormitories, nursing homes, Islamic boarding schools and prisons.

This is done to prevent the rapid spread of scabies in an isolated environment.