How To Use Sulfur To Treat Scabies
Does sulfur kill scabies?
Yes,
Sulfur does kill scabies mites, as well as many other insects. Although sulfur has been studied as an insecticide for a very long time, researchers still don’t know how exactly it does this. It is theorized that sulfur destabilizes the delicate mechanisms, by which insects and mites produce energy, but further research is needed to confirm this.
How was sulfur used in ancient times to treat scabies?
Sulfur is the oldest recorded treatment for scabies. The first reference in historical writings, about the use of sulfur to treat scabies was by Celsus, (a second century Greek philosopher). In the year 25 AD, he wrote about a technique, where he would mix sulfur with liquid pitch, and rub it into the infested persons skin, in order to cure them of scabies. Ever since then, sulfur has been sited in many other historical texts as a method to treat scabies.
Sulfur, as a treatment for scabies is even written about in the bible. A specific passage in the bible, (5th chapter, second book of kings) says that the prophet Elisha would baptize or “bath” infested people in the sulfur rich waters of Jordan, 7 times, to cure them of the “zaraath”, which was an ancient Hebrew word for scabies.
What does the research say about sulfur as a treatment for scabies?
A 2015 study, compared a 10% sulfur cream, to a single oral dose of ivermicten. The researches separated 420 patients into two groups. The first group was treated with oral ivermicten, and the second group was treated with 10% sulfur cream for three days. The ivermicten cured 78% of patients, and the 10% sulfur cream cured 60% of patients. You can read that study here.
Another study done in 2012, treated 98 patients who had scabies, with either an 8% or 10% sulfur ointment. The researchers separated the patients into three groups. The first group was treated for 24 hours with with either 8% or 10% sulfur ointment, the next group was treated for three successive nights and they took baths every 24 hours. The last group was treated for three successive days, and also bathed every 24 hours. The first group saw an improvement in 60% of patients, within the first day. The second group showed an improvement in 90% of patients, and the last group showed an improvement in 96% of patients. The researchers concluded that both 8% and 10% sulfur ointment applied for three days in a row, is an effective treatment for scabies. You can read that study here.
Sulfur vs precipitated sulfur
In many scientific studies, you may notice that the researchers refer to precipitated sulfur, rather than just sulfur. So what is the difference? Precipitated sulfur, also known as lime sulfur, is made by a process of boiling elemental sulfur with lime. This changes the chemical structure of the sulfur slightly, which makes it more potent as an insecticide, and for killing scabies mites.
How do you use sulfur on your skin?
- Find a sulfur ointment that contains at least 10% sulfur.
- I recommend this nu stock ointment from amazon.
- Rub the ointment all over your body, once a day, for a week.
How do you take a sulfur bath?
- Get a big bag of powdered sulfur, dissolve it in alcohol.
- Fill up your bathtub with warm or hot water.
- Add 1/2 cup of dissolved sulfur to your bath.
- Soak in your bathtub for at least 30 minutes.
Other benifits of sulfur for your skin
Sulfur is very beneficial to your skin when used topically. It can help relieve acne and eczema, reduce scars, clear your pores, naturally exfoliate you skin (remove dead skin), and it will increase collagen, which will make your skin look younger. You can also use sulfur on your scalp, to get rid of dandruff, increase hair growth, and make your hair silky soft.
Are there any side effects of using sulfur on your skin?
The only side effect of using sulfur on your skin is slight dryness.
Another downside of sulfur is that it can have a very distinctive smell, which I do not personally think smells bad. Many people mistakenly think that the smell of sulfur is similar to rotten eggs, but this is a misconception. The rotten egg smell actually only comes from hydrogen sulfide, a gaseous form of sulfur. that is very toxic. Sulfur in its salt form (elemental sulfur) is very safe, and has a very mild smell. Interestingly, only some people have the ability to smell elemental sulfur, and others do not.
Lastly, sulfur can stain things yellow, like your clothing. So make sure you do not where any white clothing, when you are rubbing sulfur cream on your skin.
Good Luck
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