Scabies repellent without the smell?

by Darla

I was wondering if there is a way to make a safe, odourless neem repellent for scabies that I can wear while out and about. I especially need it while working where I sit in a chair that will more than likely be used by others. (I am starting a new job and this is of high concern for me.)

I have been doing all of the cleaning and washing of clothes and bedding in high temperatures. Scabies survive for a long time. Also, in the case of items which cannot be washed— i.e. shoes and woolens which are not being effectively dealt with at the dry cleaners— is there a way that I can use neem safely to repel and even eradicate the scabies mite on these items once and for all? Perhaps something that I can spray them with?

I need something that does not have the usual smell that neem seed oil has but that will be very effective.

Comments for Scabies repellent without the smell?

Click here to add your own comments

Neem scabies repellent
by: Birgit

Hi Darla,

If you are dealing with an existing infestation you need to totally eradicate the scabies mites. Repelling them is not enough.

The non-washable items you simply seal in a plastic bag and leave them in there for at least 10 days. Scabies mites can not survive without a host.

You can do that for washable items, too, if you feel washing and drying is not enough.

There are products like neem leaf granules that don't smell and can be sprinkled around the house, carpets, upholstery etc., but I do not know how effective they are.

Neem oil smells, there is no way around it.

But neem lotions, salves and ointments are usually not too bad. Many of them use neem leaf which does not smell offensive. Neem soap also does not leave a smell once it is rinsed off and the skin is dry. At least that is my experience.

As outlined on the page about neem scabies home treatment, I would suggest regular baths with neem oil in the evening, followed by a good lather and rinse with a strong neem soap. After that apply a neem lotion to soothe the skin and combat any infections, inflammation and irritations.

If you really think you can still smell neem in the morning, layer another, nice smelling lotion over the top.

You can try to avoid the oil altogether, and make neem tea (from dried or fresh leaf) to add to the bath or to use as a spray. You can also make neem leaf paste to use on the skin. Since you need to make that fresh all the time it becomes a lot of work. I also don't know how effective this would be.

Fresh neem leaf paste is very effective when used on the skin. That is after all the traditional scabies neem treatment. Paste from dried leaf may work, too, but a spray is obviously very diluted.

Neem oil has a much higher concentration of the compounds that affect insects and mites. Neem leaf is often preferred when dealing with skin inflammation and irritations.

Well, that are your choices. Smelly neem oil, probably less effective neem leaf spray or granules, or the toxic chemical alternatives.
Neem scabies repellent
by: Darla

Thank you for that detailed response, so let me get this straight. You're saying that the same mixture that is used for plants and pets would also be safe to use on myself? Right!

In addition I was somewhat concerned about the part of the mixture where soap is recommended especially for spraying on items such as woolens etc.Unfortunately it has been my experience that scabies do tend to survive without hosts even when tied in triple layers of plastic for even months on end, which is what brought me to this particular search in the first place.

Re-infestation seems to be the biggest problem in the battle against this mite, also you mention the use of an insecticidal soap. What would you recommend as a preferred safe one to use when mixing this that wouldn't have a sticky feel or leave any noticeable stains or residues when used on clothing or related items?

I realize that the less smelly applications may be weaker but my attempt here is not so much curing my body which I have already many times. It's more the problem with re-infestation mainly through unwashed items. I was thinking that if I used this method in addition to the usual cleaning, ironing and bagging of possessions as well as the stronger preparations for my skin when bathing etc. Then, using the not so smelly lotions while out and about I guess which would also act as an eradicator as well as a repellent on my actual body basically in an attempt to bombard these pests all the time with something, to either kill them or keep them away from me in a manner that will not be toxic to me.

I might be able to avoid future re-infestations and overcome this once and for all.

In addition I was wondering about neem in combination with sulfur. I've been using the unscented kind of sulfur recently with a fair amount of success on my skin. I would appreciate any thoughts you may have on that as well.

Also, clarification on using neem internally to battle this possibly from the inside out which type of neem would be safest to use in this way.

I hear there are capsules sold in health food stores. Would you have any information in regards to that?

I realize this is a lot but I need to try whatever I can in this fight which has been a very long term one spanning years, (pretty desperate these days) so I'm trying to be as clear as possible on all the details.

I do thank you in advance for any information you may have in regards to all that I'm asking about.
A flood of questions indeed...
by: Birgit

Oh dear, that is a flood of questions...

Sure, any external use of neem is totally safe. You can spray it on plants, on pets, on yourself, around the house... When making neem spray remember that it's not stable in water. You always need to make it freshly.

Soap needs to go in the mixture to dissolve the oil. Oil does not mix with water. It's all explained on the neem spray page.

Insecticidal soap is just a very refined soap (and hence more expensive), specifically developed for plants to prevent the leaves from getting burned. Apart from that soap is soap, you can use anything you like. That's also covered in another reader question:
Using soap in neem spray for people.

Neem leaves are safe to take internally, provided you are not pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Neem leaves have a wide range of benefits. (Fresh neem leaves or tea are better than capsules.) Neem oil is not safe internally!

Taking neem leaves or even oil would not do anything about scabies mites.

The mites do not survive without a host. I certainly believe that you have a problem with continuous reinfestation. But the source must be elsewhere. The lounge, the carpets... something like that.

Totally eradicating the mites is a huge task and yes, what you suggest there for future course of action does indeed make sense.

I don't know what you've done in the past after treating yourself, but I do say on the page about neem scabies home remedies that the neem treatment needs to be kept up for several weeks after the symptoms are gone, to prevent re-infection.

Using neem is good for your skin, so there is no reason why you shouldn't.
Repellent for Mites
by: Anonymous

Have you ever heard of food grade safe powder called "Diatomaceous earth". They are sold in capsules for health reasons; also to kills beg bug infestations. You can put it on your bed sheets, rugs, car, hamper, etc. It will make the room dusty eventually but at least it'll first clear the issue.

I had a similar case and the panic frenzy caused me to lose my job. I'm out a job for 2.5 and no am fostering and I know that in the morning I must wash off the neem oil which is something that I have not been as aware of until earlier today at the store.

I am ordering Jasmine Oil from an Indian brand called Dabur or a competitor as the oil is great and the scent is so pleasant that dogs run to you to smell its irresistible smell. My panic has slowed down due to the situation but I can relate and my heart goes out to you.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Neem Oil and Scabies.


Return to top

Return to home page