I remember clearly, when I was still quite young, my first encounter with parasitic infections, although at the time the word meant nothing to me. We were awakened in the middle of the night by the doorbell. A caller at that time of the night is most unusual at any time, but this was during the war years, so we were especially wary. Half-curious and half-frightened I crept behind my mother when she opened the door and outside stood a man wearing a shoe on one foot and a clog on the other. At that time my mother had people hidden in our house from the Germans, and when our visitor told her that he had escaped from one of the ships that would have taken him on his way to a concentration camp in Germany, she quickly pulled him inside. His presence in the house endangered all our lives but, at least inside he had a measure of safety, certainly more so than walking the streets. My mother, however, was faced with a considerable dilemma. She soon discovered that it would be irresponsible to let him mix with the other people in hiding, because our latest guest had scabies. This condition was more common during the war years, and it was fortunate that my mother, although not professionally trained, was very knowledgeable about homoeopathic and naturopathic remedies. She explained that if the house were to be searched she could not let him hide under the floor with the others because of the infectiousness of his condition, and she would have to treat him. The man was covered from top to toe in ointment, so that, if need be, he could also hide out in the space cleared under the floor.
Scabies is a highly contagious, parasitic skin disease, and its many eruptions cause intense itching. It is caused by the so-called itch mite and I have been told that it is enough to drive one mad. The treatment is basically external and sulphur echtiol, the cream used by my mother, is one of the best methods for treating a person with this disease. However, as the itch can become unbearable, it may be necessary to prescribe something for internal use as well. I have great faith in the Bioforce remedy, Boldocynara, which helps to ease the itching condition. This remedy is a fresh herbal preparation and should be taken three times a day, ten to fifteen drops in a little water.
Another parasitic infection, fortunately less and less common nowadays, is Pediculosis, which is also a lice infestation. This condition was also common during the war years and I remember that eventually we just shrugged our shoulders when, at school, we heard that someone would be absent for a few days because that usually meant they had been infested with lice and taken into hospital. Yet, prior to the war and since, there was a tremendous stigma attached to such conditions.
The Pediculus capitis, a head louse, is usually limited to the scalp, while the Pediculus corporis inhabits the seams of clothing worn next to the skin, and feeds on the skin covered by clothes. Usually the condition can be treated externally, but if it is persistent internal treatment may also be necessary. In days gone by, the old-fashioned remedy DDT was often used. Nowadays it is recognised that this poisonous substance can have very considerable after-effects. Although it was effective, there are natural treatment methods that are equally good, e.g. stinging nettle extract.
There are some very good ointments available for scabious conditions, one of which is a garlic ointment. Although smelly, it is quite effective, even for the condition of Pediculosis pubis, where the crab louse infests the hairs of the genital region. Occasionally it is also found in the eyebrows, eyelashes, beard or sometimes on the body surface.
These conditions are extremely unpleasant and socially embarrassing. Thanks to better hygiene standards, these conditions are nowhere near as common as they were during the traumatic war years. However, if they do occur, immediate treatment should be sought.
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