Scabies is a contagious condition caused by skin infestation with the itch mite called Sarcoptes Scabiei. These itch mites create burrows underneath the skin to lay eggs. They also trigger severe itching in the body of the infected person. Another common symptom of scabies is rashes in the finger webs and skin folds of the thighs, armpits, and genitals. Scabies infection spreads through direct skin contact with a person suffering from scabies. It is extremely important for a scabies patient to get treated properly as soon as the disease gets diagnosed. Immediate treatment helps to prevent scabies from getting complicated, re-occurring, and spreading further. Ones who have had direct skin contact with a scabies patient in the recent past should also visit the doctor to get themselves checked for the disease. Scabies is treated with prescription anti-parasitic medication and scabicide creams and lotions. Read on to know what is the best cream for scabies.
4 Best Topical Creams for Treating Scabies
The best thing to do when experiencing extreme itching is to consult a doctor immediately. The doctor can conduct an ink test or scrap test on the patient to identify the accurate cause of itching. In case, scabies is diagnosed, the doctor can prescribe appropriate medicines and doses to eliminate the itch mites. For treating Scabies, most of the anti-parasitic medicines are available in form of topical creams and lotions which help to get rid of the itch mites, and the itching, effectively. It takes at least 4 weeks to cure scabies provided the patient strictly adheres to the doctor’s instructions and takes the medicine properly. Some of the most effective topical creams for treating scabies are:
Permethrin Cream To Get Rid of Scabies
Permethrin is often prescribed by the doctors as the start-up treatment for scabies. Permethrin is one of the best creams for scabies. This medication is available as 5% permethrin cream which contains a synthetic chemical to kill the scabies mites. The itching also gets effectively relieved with this cream. Permethrin is considered safe for infants and pregnant women. However, it is always better to seek a doctor’s advice before using this cream. Permethrin has been reported to cause skin irritation and burning. Hence, no more than the recommended amount of this cream should be applied by the patient. Permethrin cream should be applied on all body parts including neck, nails, in between fingers, and armpits.
Lindane Lotion for Treating Scabies
Available in the form of 1% Lindane lotion, this scabies cream is effective in getting rid of the scabies mites. Lindane is prescribed by doctors only when other medicines prove ineffective. A scabies patient needs to apply this cream on the affected areas of their body, allow it to stay for 8 hours, and then rinse it off with water. Since Lindane can get absorbed into the blood stream and cause seizures, this cream is not considered safe for pregnant or nursing women. So, these females should always avoid using this cream.
Dr. Scabies Cream for Scabies Treatment
One of the best and most renowned creams for scabies treatment is Dr. Scabies. This cream is recommended by the doctors from world over, for rapid relief from itching and scabies mites. Dr. Scabies cream contains sulfur which is the most effective ingredient for scabies treatment. Dr. Scabies cream also includes other natural ingredients like jojoba oils, soy oil, chamomile extracts and melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil. Thus, Dr. Scabies cream is a chemical free treatment for scabies and has no side-effects. This scabies cream is easily available and is considered safe and suitable for everyone.
Crotamiton Cream
This anti-scabies cream is available in the form of 10% crotamiton. Crotamiton is a potent anti- pruritic, which can reduce itching by killing the scabies mites. This scabies cream can be applied after every 24 hours and then washed off with water. Crotamiton cream can be poisonous if used on inflamed tissue, nose, eyes, mouth and vaginal areas and should thus never be applied on these areas of the body.
Along with using these creams for treatment of scabies, it is also important to keep the patient’s clothing, towels and bedding disinfected and well-dried to eradicate the scabies mites.
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Scabies: Diagnosis and Treatment https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scabies-treatment
- Mayo Clinic. Scabies https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scabies/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377373
- World Health Organization (WHO). Scabies Fact Sheet https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/scabies
Also Read:
- Scabies: Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Investigations, Treatment, Home Remedies, Prevention
- How Does Scabies Spread?|Causes, Treatment, Home Remedies, Prevention of Scabies
- How Do You Get Scabies, Know its Home Remedies, Prevention
- What is Scabies?|How is it Transmitted|Is Scabies Contagious?
- How Long Does Scabies Last For?
- 4 Natural Ways To Treat Scabies During Pregnancy