Scabicide

Scabicide is a type of medication specifically designed to treat scabies, a skin condition caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. Scabicides work by killing the mites that cause scabies, and some also kill the eggs.

Types of Scabicides

There are several types of scabicides available, including:

• Permethrin cream (5%): This is the most commonly prescribed scabicide. It is safe for adults, pregnant women, and children aged two months and older.
• Lindane lotion: This is an alternative treatment for scabies. However, due to potential neurotoxicity, it is only recommended when other treatments have failed or cannot be used.
• Crotamiton (Eurax): This is a less common treatment that is applied once a day for two to five days.
• Sulfur in petrolatum: This is used primarily for infants and young children, as well as for people who cannot use other treatments.

Application

Scabicides are typically applied to all areas of the body, from the neck down, and left on for eight to 14 hours. The treatment is then washed off. In some cases, a second application is necessary a week later to kill any mites that have hatched since the initial treatment.

Side Effects

While scabicides are generally safe, they can cause side effects, including:

• Skin irritation
• Redness
• Swelling
• Burning sensation

If these side effects persist or worsen, it is important to contact a healthcare provider.

Prevention

Preventing scabies infestations involves avoiding close physical contact with an infected person or with items that have been in contact with an infected person, such as clothing, bedding, or towels.

See Also

• Scabies
• Sarcoptes scabiei
• Permethrin
• Lindane
• Crotamiton
• Sulfur

Scabicide Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia