Helpful Products

If you're anything like me, you will have read hundreds of websites in search of tips and information on things which help you. I tried many, many products: Some helped, a lot didn't. Since everyone is different, it may be that what helped me won't necessarily help you, but I thought it might save someone, somewhere, a lot of  time and hassle if I listed the things which did help me, and from where I got them.  I could really have done with a list like this when I was in the midst of the infestation.


DE Powder

Diatomaceous Earth power is relatively cheap and fairly effective. I sprinkled it everywhere. I found it particularly useful in the car, where I sprinkled it on the seats and carpets. Once a week I would hoover it up and reapply.  At one stage I sprinkled it on the seats and then covered them all in plastic, which I sellotaped in place - this really helped with feelings of getting bites in the car.  In the end, I kept plastic over the seats for almost three months, only taking it off when the winter weather arrived in style with heavy snow and sharp frosts.  I got my DE powder from eBay, from a seller who supplied chicken farmers. You can also get it from websites like Amazon, and locally at garden centres or DIY stores.


Homeopathic Sulphur and Aconite

My interest in using Sulphur as a treatment for my mite bites was triggered by reading a piece online about the way this organisation had treated wild foxes for their mange - which is caused by sarcoptic mites.  They recommended giving a homeopathic remedy to animals afflicted with this horrible condition - the remedies concerned were Arsenicum Alb 30c and Sulphur 30c, to be taken together.  I have had an interest in homeopathy for many years, and Arsen Alb is one of the remedies I always have in the cupboard (it is excellent for stomach upsets, nausea, and fear).  Since I was already aware of how well this remedy works, I thought it worth a 'go' at combining it with homeopathic sulphur just as these guys had for the wild foxes: It certainly wasn't going to do me any harm.  I started slowly, giving myself one dose of each of the remedies at the same time (I had them in this pillule form) for a couple of days, then two doses for a couple of days, then three doses. I kept up the three doses per day for one week, then a week of two doses a day, then a week of one dose a day, then I stopped.  Those who have experience of homeopathy will know it can sometimes give a strong apparently adverse reaction before things get better, and that was the case for me. A week into taking these remedies, I woke up one morning absolutely covered in large red lesions on my torso and arms. I was distraught. However, I decided to carry on with the three week treatment, and sure enough began to see a substantial improvement. I feel quite strongly now that sulphur is a very powerful weapon in the fight against mite infestation, and that taking it internally, as well as using it on my skin, was a real turning point in my battle.


Naturasil products for Scabies.

I didn't have Scabies, I had a bird mite infestation, but these products definitely helped me a lot - and I was determined that sulphur products were the right way to go. I began with the starter pack of cream, drops and soaps, and used them all. I used them all for a fortnight and found I had red, raw, hot and dry skin. So that wasn't a good idea. I then switched things around, and used the drops in a bath for four days in succession, then took four days 'off', then four more days of the drops in a bath, four days off, and so on.  When you have a bath containing these drops, stay in it for at least 20 minutes, and then try to air dry if you can.

I found the Sulphur and Lavender soap to be most helpful when I had a stand-up wash with it rather than using it in the shower. Simply get a lather going with your hands on the soap, and rub the lather all over you. I didn't rinse it off, I just let it dry on my skin.


Essential Oils

These were so important. I started out using a combination of oils in a 'base' of plain Aqueous Cream - and used to apply this every night before bed.  After a while, I began adding the oils to distilled Witch Hazel as well, and put the mixture in a spray bottle, spraying it over my skin whenever I felt crawling, and before bed. I also sprayed it on my airbed and sleeping bag every night when I was using those.

The oils I used were the following, but I didn't use them all every time. I found it helpful to keep changing the 'recipe' a little. I would, though, retain Tea Tree, Lavender and Peppermint every time:
Tea Tree
Thyme
Lavender
Peppermint
Orange
Clove Bud
Eucalyptus
Cedarwood

I discovered from reading various research papers that whilst most of these oils would kill mites on contact,  the fumes alone of Thyme, Penny Royal and Tea Tree would kill mites - which makes them even more powerful.  Everyone should be aware that Penny Royal Oil is dangerous to pregnant women as it can trigger miscarriage. Whilst I was not pregnant, I chose not to use it in case anyone who was pregnant (even unknowingly so) came into our home.


Neem

Whilst not an essential oil, like the above, Neem has a long standing reputation for its outstanding anti-parasitic qualities, but be warned - the smell is definitely an acquired taste. I added neem oil to my baths, to my shower scrubs, to my essential oil/aqueous cream mix, and my witch hazel/essential oil mixes. I also used Neem Shampoo, Neem Cream and took Neem Leaf Capsules for some anti-parasitic power from the inside.  I am so convinced of the therapeutic properties of the capsules, that I still take them, even though I am no longer fighting an infestation.


Epsom Salts

An age old remedy for aching limbs and muscles, Epsom Salts added to my evening bath definitely helped my skin. I used a cup of Epsom Salts in my evening baths on the four days 'off' of the Naturasil anti-scabies drops. I also added Epsom Salts to my shower scrubs in the mornings.


Coconut Oil

I wish I'd discovered this sooner. My skin really started improving once I added coconut oil to my protocol  (I use virgin coconut oil for its purity). I added a good spoonful of coconut oil to my baths every evening whether I was using the Naturasil anti-scabies lotion or the Epsom Salts. The oil seemed to help my skin heal from bites. I started to sometimes put oil on my skin before bed in place of the oils/aqueous cream, or oils/witch hazel mixes, rotating the three.  If there are any 'bits' on your skin, rubbing in the oil seems to help get them off you. I wish I'd used the oil in the midst of my infestation when I was getting a lot of the black specks, but I hadn't discovered it at that stage.


MSM

Rich in sulphur, I started taking these capsules as a way of getting sulphur on the inside as well as the outside of my body. I'm not sure it really suited me - I seemed to get upset stomachs and headaches when I was on it, but there's no doubt my skin was better.  It was one of the first things I stopped, because the side effects were a factor for me, but that's not true for everyone.


Peppermints

I figured that if these things don't like menthol and peppermint oil, then sucking peppermint sweets probably wouldn't do any harm. There are lots to choose from in supermarkets and sweet shops all over the land. It's a very simple thing to do, but I'm sure it helped.


Dermacool

This cream was actually first prescribed for me by the dermatologist I saw. It is basically just aqueous cream with added menthol, but it certainly calms down the skin.  I still use it from time to time if my skin feels itchy.


Aromatic Candles and Incense

I am someone who has always enjoyed burning incense and candles in the home. It was around a month into our infestation that I made the connection that if I burned particular candles or incense, I seemed to get fewer bites.  I don't know how or why, but from that point onwards, I made sure I burned candles, oils or incense on a daily basis.  The candles I found most success with were Cinnamon, Ginger and Menthol ones. Putting menthol crystals in water in an oil burner is particularly effective (and has the by-product of clearing the sinuses of everyone in the house!)  I had some Coconut, and some Cinnamon and Orange incense sticks which also seemed helpful.  If I was out of candles and incense sticks, I'd add some of the essential oils I used into some water in an oil burner.


Anti-Histamines

I had a pretty bad allergic reaction to my bites. At first I was prescribed hydrocortisone cream, which didn't help at all. Then my doctor decided I needed anti histamine treatments. Most of the tablets and capsules prescribed for me gave me nasty side effects, so I didn't take them at the height of the infestation. It was only when I was discovered to have developed CPU after the infestation that my dermatologist recommended good old Benadryl. They are one of the most basic antihistamines, but they did help me a little.


Dehumidifiers

I could not afford electric dehumidifiers, but if I could, that's what I would have bought. In the event, I found out that the little pot dehumidifiers that people buy for caravans, damp cupboards, etc. were perfectly adequate. I now have two of these in every single room in our home, and one in all cupboards/wardrobes, etc.  I have these in the car too.


Shampoo

I tried many different kinds of shampoo. The ones with which I had the most success were those which contained sulphur, coal tar, neem, eucalyptus, menthol, tea tree, etc.  Some of my favourites are these:
Denorex - This stuff is great. I sometimes used it on its own, or added a drop of it to other shampoos.
Sulphur 8 - Another one I wouldn't be without - and still use it now.
A Vogel Neem Shampoo - Excellent shampoo that helps stops the crawlies in your hair.
Head & Shoulders - We've long had a joke in our family that H&S shampoo is so strong it could strip furniture (I would point out that this is a joke, and that H&S will not, in fact, strip furniture!) During this fight with mites, I found two in the range which helped a lot. The Menthol one, and the Eucalyptus one.

Radox - Refresh.  These were on offer in my local branch of Sainsbury's, and when I saw it contained both eucalyptus and citrus, I wondered if it would help. It did. I used to squirt it onto my loofah/brush, add Neem oil and Epsom Salts to make a 'scrub'.  I also used this as a shampoo (without the salts) and again, it was effective.


Ammonia and Borax

Almost every website I read about mite infestations advised adding ammonia and borax to your washing machine (along with detergent).  I have to say, it's possibly the only way to ensure you rid your clothes and other textiles of mites.  I tried to buy these locally, but all the chemist shops I visited told me that they are no longer allowed to stock them. Therefore, I went to good old Amazon. The products I used are these:
Ammonia
Borax
I added a good 'shake' of Borax to the conditioner drawer, and then poured a capful of Ammonia over the top. I added detergent to the drum (I use a front loading washing machine) and that is always a good biological detergent (Bold, Ariel, Persil, etc.)  I am still adding these chemicals to my daily washing, and have no idea when I will feel ok about stopping.  I would advise that you add a 'Colour Catcher' sheet to each wash as these chemicals can do funny things to coloured fabrics.


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