What Are the Treatments for Human Scabies?
Effective treatment for human scabies requires use of a prescription topical medication, according to the Mayo Clinic. But when first-line treatments fail to treat human scabies or when they cannot be tolerated, patients have other options.
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Treatment of Choice
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Mayo Clinic experts indicate that two commonly prescribed topical medications for scabies are permethrin lotion and crotamiton cream. Permethrin is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for patients two months or older, while crotamiton is approved only for adult use.
Lindane Lotion
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Lindane has been a treatment for scabies since 1951, but due to the availability of gentler topical treatments it has been designated a second-line treatment. Lindane can have harmful side effects on the central nervous system if used inappropriately. The FDA stresses that it should be "prescribed carefully."
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Oral Medications
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Although not approved by the FDA for scabies treatment, the oral drug ivermectin may be prescribed if topical treatments fail or cannot be tolerated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that this medication is effective in treating Norwegian (crusted) scabies, a more severe and resistant form of the condition.
Using Topicals
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Topical scabies medications are applied to the entire body from the neck down, notes the Mayo Clinic. After being left on for about eight hours, they can then be washed off. Because scabies are highly contagious, those living in the same household must typically be treated at the same time.
What Else Works?
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The CDC warns those with scabies not to attempt to treat themselves. Currently, there are no over-the-counter treatments for scabies approved by the FDA, nor are there any other home or consumer remedies proven to be effective.
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