Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD Scabies is caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. They spread through skin ...

and dry them in a hot dryer. To kill scabies mites on the skin, you can try over-the-counter medications, doctor-prescribed medications, or certain diluted essential oils, such as tea tree oil.

or have dry skin. Some cases are mild, which you can easily treat at home. Others are the result of an underlying health condition, such as diabetes, kidney disease, scabies, or a thyroid condition.