Crotamiton 10% for Scabies
Examples
|
| crotamiton 10% | Eurax, Crotan |
Crotamiton is available as a lotion or cream.
How It Works
Crotamiton can kill the
scabies mite and also may relieve itching.
The medicine will come with instructions. And your doctor will also give
you a treatment schedule. These
instructions for using scabies medicines are a general
guide for using scabies creams or ointments.
Why It Is Used
Crotamiton is used to kill scabies
mites and their eggs. It is less commonly used to treat scabies than are other
available medicines. Permethrin is the treatment of choice.1
How Well It Works
A medicine to treat a scabies
infestation is successful when it kills all scabies
mites and eggs. Crotamiton frequently fails to cure scabies.1 For this reason, permethrin or other medicine is usually
preferred.
Side Effects
Crotamiton's side effects have not been
well studied. Skin irritation is sometimes reported as a side effect.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is
not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Crotamiton generally is not used
to treat scabies.
It is common for itching to continue for up to
several weeks after using a scabies medicine. This does not mean that the
scabies mites are still alive. It means that the body is still reacting to the
mites and their feces. Unless your doctor recommends it, do not apply scabies
medicines more than once. Overuse of scabies medicines (such as reapplying the
cream when only a single use is prescribed) can irritate the skin and may make
itching worse.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Scabies. In LK Pickering et al., eds., Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 28th ed., pp. 589–591. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
|---|
| Last Revised | March 14, 2011 |
|---|
Last Revised:
March 14, 2011
American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Scabies. In LK Pickering et al., eds., Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 28th ed., pp. 589–591. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
