8 ways to cure scabies
with the Healthy Skin Program
Sawyer’s makes a 1/2% permethrin spray to tick-proof clothing, tents, or whatever which gets rave reviews (2,700 reviews, 85% 4 or 5 stars).
I have used Sawyer products and they just work. I spend a lot of time in Wisconsin which is prime tick and lyme disease territory . Since I treated my clothes with Sawyers’ I haven’t found a single tick on me!
It can work the same way to kill and repel scabies mites, too! If you wish you can spray it on any cloth surface (clothes, chairs, car seats, etc.), let it dry, and forget about any transmission of scabies. When wet permethrin is very toxic to cats — once it is dry it’s safe for cats to be around. So if you use this just make sure to be away from cats until it dries. It is also toxic to bees and fish when wet so be nice and keep it away from them, too.
I sometimes reflect that the greatest danger of getting scabies is you giving it to yourself. What I mean is you are treating yourself for scabies, but you need to make sure you aren’t leaving mites around to climb back on you. I have a whole section on how to treat laundry and your environment. If you run laundry in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes you can kill any mites or eggs on it. By spraying the permethrin you will have extra insurance you are safer. I realize much of this is more than is usually required, but when I had scabies I wanted to cover all my bases.
Best value! For treating clothing, tents and furniture, indoors and outdoors
Ticks on Army clothing that has been treated with permethrin
Ticks on Army clothing that has NOT been treated with permethrin
Here is Sawyer’s description of their product (my bolding):
“Effective against mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and mites for up to 6 weeks
For use on clothing, tents, sleeping bags, and other outdoor gear, Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent not only repels insects, it actually kills mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, mites, and more than 55 other kinds of insects on contact. Odorless after drying, Permethrin will not stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or any of your gear.
Use Permethrin on clothing by itself or with skin-applied repellents to create the ultimate protective, armor-like insect barrier. The synthetic version of pyrethrum (a natural insecticide derived from the chrysanthemum flower), Permethrin is non-toxic and registered for use by the U.S. EPA. Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent has been exclusively treating uniforms for the U.S. and Canadian militaries for almost 30 years.”
I am working on how to present this topic without getting sued.
The basic idea is one can soak clothes in a 1/2% solution of permethrin and water for 2 hours (click for the recipe).
Wring out the clothes gently so they are still dripping wet.
Then hang dry them in the shade (sunlight degrades permethrin).
A day or so later they will be dry and mite-proofed for up to 6 weeks.
I had a video about how to do this but the permethrin manufacturer threatened me with unholy hell so I had to take the video down. I get it. The manufacturer doesn’t want exposure to any liability, plus he may sincerely believe I was violating some federal regulations.
We’ll see if I ever figure out how to present the information in a way that I won’t get prosecuted or sued. It’s too bad primarily because the DIY method only costs a couple bucks to treat a shirt, pants, socks and underwear.
The Sawyer’s Permethrin spray is a bit pricier, but it works!
Sample labels from bottles of permethrin
The upper one says “Contains petroleum distillates” and “WARNING”.
The lower one does NOT says “Contains petroleum distillates” and “CAUTION”.
This is the kind I used.
It won’t say it doesn’t contain petroleum distillates,
but it has to say if it does.
32 ounce bottle of 10% permethrin
(above) makes almost 5 gallons of 1/2% dip
Does NOT contain petroleum distillates (but double-check the label by zooming in at Amazon and when you get it)
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Full disclosure: I have personally bought and used almost everything I mention on my web site. I search for good deals on good products for myself and tell you where to find them. If you buy from Amazon I do get a small commission, but you get the same price you would anyway. Most of the other stores I mention pay me nothing, but if they are convenient or have a good deal, I tell you.
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