Permethrin Cream 5% for Scabies

Prescription-strength permethrin 5% kills the scabies mite. The medicine will come with instructions, and your doctor will also give you a treatment schedule. The National Institutes of Health recommends the following use of 5% permethrin cream for scabies:

• Read the package directions carefully before using the medicine.
• Thoroughly wash and dry skin.
• Massage the cream into the skin from the head to the soles of the feet, paying special attention to creases in the skin, hands, feet, between fingers and toes, underarms, and groin. Scabies rarely infests the scalp of adults, although the hairline, neck, side of the head, and forehead may be infested in older people and in infants. Infants should be treated on the scalp, side of the head, and forehead.
• Leave the permethrin cream on the skin for 8 to 14 hours.
• Wash off by taking a shower or bath.
• Put on clean clothes.
• After treatment, itching may continue for up to 4 weeks.

National Institutes of Health information available online: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a698037.html.

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