Elimite cream

The agent of choice for scabies is permerthrin 5% (Elimite) cream. Alternative agents in subjects who cannot use permethrin are crotamiton 10% (Eurax) and oral ivermectin (Stromectal) 200 mcg/kg as a single dose. To initiate the treatment with permerthrin, the skin should be scrubbed in a warm soapy bath to remove the scabs. The permerthrin lotion should then be applied to the whole body, avoiding the face, mucous membranes, and eyes, and left on for 8 to 14 hours. A single application eradicates 97% of scabies. All close contacts should be treated appropriately. The pruritus associated with scabies may persist for 2 to 4 weeks because of the remnants of mite parts in the skin. 

Elimite, Nix, Acticin cream 5%, Elimite cream 5%, Permethrin lotion 1%, Nix cream rinse liquid 1%)... 

It is recommended that permethrin 1% cream rinse (Nix) be applied undiluted to affected areas of pediculosis for 10 minutes and then rinsed off with warm water. For the treatment of scabies, a single application of 5% cream (Elimite) is applied to the body from the neck down, left on for 8-14 hours, and then washed off. Adverse reactions to permethrin include transient burning, stinging, and pruritus. Cross-sensitization to pyrethrins or chrysanthemums has been alleged but inadequately documented. 

Permethrin is a synthetic derivative of the insecticide pyrethrum, which was obtained originally from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium. Neurotoxicity associated with this compound is extremely rare. A 5% cream (Acticin, Elimite, others) is available in the treatment of scabies. This is used as an 8- to 12-hour or overnight application. A 1% permethrin cream rinse (NIX) also is available for the treatment of lice. 

Taplin D, Meinkin TL, Joaquin BA, et al. Comparison of critamiton 10% cream (Eurax) and permethrin 5% cream (Elimite) for the treatment of scabies in children. Pediatr Dermatol 1990 7 67-73. 

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