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Scabies is a parasitic infestation of the skin caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. It is common in tropical areas, including the sub-tropical areas of Southern Africa. Predisposing factors are overcrowding, poor personal hygiene, low socio-economic standards and impaired host immunity. Although it can occur at any age, scabies is commonly seen in children and young adults. It is not a fatal disease; however, it can cause severe morbidity and poor quality of life. Scabies can complicate with pyoderma which may result in post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. There are two clinical variants, classic scabies and the much rarer crusted scabies (Norwegian scabies). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scabies is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. The disease can be sexually transmitted. Patients' main complaint is nocturnal itch. Disseminated, excoriated, erythematous papules are usually seen on the anterior trunk and limbs. Crusted scabies occurs in immunocompromised hosts and may be associated with reduced or absent pruritus. Recommended treatments are permethrin 5% cream, oral ivermectin and benzyl benzoate 25% lotion. Alternative treatments are malathion 0.5% aqueous lotion, ivermectin 1% lotion and sulphur 6-33% cream, ointment or lotion. Crusted scabies therapy requires a topical scabicide and oral ivermectin. Mass treatment of large populations with endemic disease can be performed with a single dose of ivermectin (200 micrograms/kg of bodyweight). Partner management needs a look-back period of 2 months. Screening for other STI is recommended. Patients and close contacts should avoid sexual contact until completion of treatment and should strictly observe personal hygiene rules when living in crowded spaces. Written information should be provided to suspected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate four drug regimens for treatment of scabies as regard their efficacy, acceptability and cost effectiveness. Two hundred cases with ordinary scabies were randomized into four groups. First group received ivermectin 200 μg/kg body weight single oral dose, repeated after one week. The second received benzyl benzoate 20% cream. The third received permethrin 2.5%–5% lotion, whereas the fourth group received 5–10% sulfur ointment. Topical treatments were applied for five consecutive nights. Patients were followed up for two weeks for cure rate and adverse effects. At the end of the study, permethrin provided a significant efficacy of 88% and acceptability in 100% of cases, but had higher cost to treat one case (20.25 LE). Ivermectin provided efficacy and acceptability rates of 84% and 96%, respectively, and had a cheaper cost (9.5 LE). Benzyl benzoate provided 80% for both rates and was the cheapest drug. Sulfur ointment provided the least rates, and it was the most expensive. Treatment choice will depend on the age, the general condition of cases, patient compliance to topical treatment and his ability to stick to its roles, and the economic condition of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To measure in-vitro susceptibility of Sarcopties Scabieivar Hominis to 5% permethrin and 1 % lindane. Study Design: Randomized controlled trials. Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out at Dermatology Department, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from January 2012 to June 2012. Material and Methods: A total of 60 mites from 60 patients were taken for assay. Mites from every patient were randomly allocated to two groups i.e. group A (5% permethrin) and group B (1% lindane). Permethrin and lindane were applied in a thin film over a glass slide. Live mites were then gently transferred to the glass slide and covered with a lid. Mites were inspected for leg movements at time interval of 1hr, 2hrs, 3hrs, 4hrs and 5hrs. Death was declared once all leg movements had ceased. All mites which died within 5 hours had been declared as susceptible to drugs, while mites having active leg movements even after 5 hours of drug application were considered as non-susceptible. Results: A total of 93.33% (n=28) of mites in group-A died within 5 hours of application of permethrin (susceptible) and 6.67% (n=2) of mites in group-A were alive after 5 hours of drug application (resistant). While 53.33 % (n=16) of mites in group-B died within 5 hours of application of lindane (susceptible) and 46.67% (n=14) of mites in group-B did not die after 5 hours (non-susceptible). (p value < 0.001). Conclusion: Permethrin is more effective as compared to lindane against Sarcopties Scabei in terms of in-vitro susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The conventionally used topical antiscabetics have poor compliance. Ivermectin, an oral antiparasitic drug, has been shown to be an effective scabicide and could be a useful substitute. This study was designed to compare efficacy of oral ivermectin with commonly used topical antiscabies drugs. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on four groups including 60 patients in each group by simple random sampling. Treatment given in each group was: Group 1: Ivermectin (200 ug/kg body weight) oral in a single dose, Group 2: Topical Permethrin 5% cream single application, Group 3: Topical gamma benzene hexachloride (GBHC) lotion 1% single application and Group 4: Topical Benzyl benzoate (BB) lotion 25% single application. All of the patients were followed for improvement in terms of severity of disease and severity of pruritus at the end of 1st wk and 6th wk. Results: Efficacy of ivermectin, permethrin, GBHC and BB lotion considering improvement in severity of pruritus as parameter were 85%, 90%, 75% and 68.33% respectively at 2nd follow-up. Similarly considering improvement in severity of lesion as parameter, results were 80%, 88.33%, 71.66% and 65% respectively at 2nd follow up. Topical Permethrin (5%) was more effective as compared to topical BB lotion and topical GBHC lotion (p<0.05, significant) but statistical difference between efficacy of topical Permethrin and oral Ivermectin was non-significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results suggested that oral Ivermectin and topical Permethrin (5%) were equally efficacious. Oral Ivermectin is well tolerated, non irritant to skin, does not show central nervous system side effects because it does not cross blood brain barrier. So, the good therapeutic response with few side effects seen with oral Ivermectin can be useful in those patients for whom topical treatment is potentially irritant and less well-tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scabies is a contagious intensely pruritic ectoparasitic infestation caused by mite Sarcoptes scabiei hominis. Various treatment modalities are available but topical permethrin and oral ivermectin is considered to be safe and effective in the treatment of scabies. Aim : To compare the efficacy of topical permethrin and oral ivermectin in the treatment of scabies. Material And Methods : It was an interventional study conducted in the out patient department Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital.100 clinically diagnosed cases of scabies belonging to either sex and from 10-60 yrs of age were selected and divided into two groups. Oral ivermectin was given to group A and topical 5% permethrin was given to the group B and follow up at 1, 2 and 4 weeks of interval. at each visit and cure rate was compared. Results : Permethrin showed the efficacy of 89.1% in completely clearing scabietic lesions at 4 week interval as compared to oral ivermectin which showed 78.5% clearing of lesions in 4 weeks. Thus both the treatment modalities were almost equally effective. Conclusion: Oral ivermectin and topical permethrin both are almost equally effective but permethrine has rapid onset of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tinospora cordifolia lotion including its cure rate and clearance time compared with permethrin lotion . Materials and Methods: A single blind, randomized, controlled, pilot clinical study was performed in three government institutions to investigate clinical efficacy of T.cordifolia lotion in sixty-six clinically-diagnosed scabies-infected patients. The patients were treated with T.cordifolia or permethrin lotions for three consecutive days for two weeks and clinical assessment of each patient was performed for five weeks. Results: T. cordifolia lotion and permethrin significantly reduced the mean global evaluation score after four weeks of treatment. The two lotions showed comparable effects as anti-scabies agent. Moreover, the clearance time (days) and cure rate using the two lotions did not differ. Clinical improvement, mean clearance time and cure rate of T.cordifolia lotion are comparable with permethrin. Conclusions: Tinospora cordifolia lotion exhibits anti-scabies activity comparable with permethrin. Its incorporation as therapeutic reagent in Sarcoptes scabiei infections is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the outbreak of escabiosis or scabies, a disease of the skin caused by a mite, at workplaces belonging to a public company. It discusses protocols for rare diseases and epidemics and highlights the importance of business coordination in prevention and treatment escabiosis in workplaces where two or more companies function together.

The article presents the open-label, randomized, comparative, and parallel clinical study on the effectiveness and safety of topical ivermectin, topical permethrin, and oral ivermectin for uncomplicated scabies. The study reportedly involved hundreds of patients who were allocated randomly to three groups. The results revealed that permethrin and topical ivermectin were effective for treating scabies while oral ivermectin was less effective.

Lindane is an organochloride pesticide, first introduced as a scabicide for human use in the 1950s (1). Because of its low cost and efficacy, it quickly became a first-line treatment for scabies and head lice, but not long after its use became widespread, its safety was called into question, primarily regarding its neurotoxic effects. We intend to show through review of the literature and databases that lindane has been associated with numerous severe and fatal adverse reactions. This review will summarize 67 cases of adverse reactions and deaths associated with the medical use of lindane. Many of the most serious events and fatalities occurred in pediatric and geriatric populations. We concede that toxicity frequently arises from misuse, but labeled usage of lindane caused 43% of the serious adverse reactions of this review. Moreover, the numerous instances of lindane misuse elucidate the importance of clear labeling and instructions, especially with a product with a narrow therapeutic index. Therefore, this report attempts to elucidate the dangers of lindane as a medical treatment for scabies and head lice by providing a comprehensive review of all documented adverse drug reactions since its introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scabies is a common health problem worldwide. Most treatment modalities available are topical. Among them 5% Permethrin is the most effective scabicide with few side effects. Limiting factors are its high cost, cumbersome application and emerging resistance. Ivermectin is the only oral scabicide available. It is effective, inexpensive and easy to use drug with no known drug interactions and limited side effects. Objective of study: To compare the safety of topical Permethrin and oral Ivermectin in treatment of scabies. Study design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: Department of dermatology Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Subjects: 120 patients were enrolled and were randomly divided in 2 groups of 60 each. Duration:- 12-02-07 to 31-01-08. Non funded study (As ivermectin was not available in Pakistan during the study period, it was imported from India as tablet Ivecop 12 mg). Methods: Topical Permethrin and oral Ivermectin were used in groups A and B respectively. Patients were examined and certain investigations were carried out before dug administration, and at day 7 and day 14 to evaluate the safety of both drugs on the basis of appearing of side effects and change in baseline investigations. Results: In both groups, equal number of patients experienced side effects (n=15). In group A, side effects observed were burning (n=8), contact dermatitis (n=4) and stinging (n=3). In group B, we observed muscular pain (n=5), nausea (n=5), headache (n=2) and others (n=3). Significant rise of hepatic enzymes was noticed in only 1 patient of group B which improved on next follow up. Conclusions: We found no statistically significant difference regarding safety of use between permethrin and ivermectin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess pesticide exposures in children being treated for head lice with either lindane or permethrin (exposed group) and children who did not have a lice infestation and thus were not being treated with chemicals for head lice or scabies (unexposed group). Methods: In 2001, we enrolled 78 children aged 6–10 years old and collected baseline urine samples and demographic information from all the children. We subsequently collected post-exposure urine samples and questionnaire information about lice treatment from the 29 (37%) children (exposed children) who had been diagnosed and were being treated for head lice. Metabolites of the pesticides lindane and permethrin were measured in the samples. Results: The mean age of exposed and unexposed children in the study population was 9.3 years and 8.5 years, respectively. Fourteen of the 29 exposed children used prescription lice treatments (i.e., lindane or malathion); 25 of the 29 exposed children used at least one over-the-counte permethrin treatment, either alone or in addition to prescription treatments. Exposed children in both counties had higher urinary pyrethroid metabolite levels in their post-exposure samples compared with their baseline samples. However this difference was only significant in Forsyth County children. Conclusions: The significantly increased post-exposure pyrethroid metabolite levels in the urine of Forsyth County children suggest that the children are exposed to pyrethroid insecticides through the use of lice shampoos. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Limited effective treatments, coupled with recent observations of emerging drug resistance to oral ivermectin and 5% permethrin, raise concerns regarding the future control of scabies, especially in severe cases and in endemic areas where repeated community treatment programs are in place. There is consequently an urgent need to define molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in scabies mites and to develop and assess alternative therapeutic options, such as tea tree oil, in the event of increasing treatment failure. Molecular studies on scabies mites have, until recently, been restricted; however, recent advances are providing new insights into scabies mite biology and genetic mechanisms underlying drug resistance. These may assist in overcoming many of the current difficulties in monitoring treatment efficacy and allow the development of more sensitive tools for monitoring emerging resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmission of the mite Sarcoptes scabiei generally occurs by protracted direct body contact; although in crusted scabies, transmission also occurs via infected clothing or bedding. Diagnosis is usually clinical and topical antiscabietics are the mainstay of treatment. Oral ivermectin is not licensed in most countries, but may have a role in certain patients. Treatment of sexual contacts is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a study which evaluates the concerns associated with misdiagnosis of infantile scabies and mentions use of dermoscopic diagnosis of scabies in order to identify clinical and dermoscopic clues in infants. It mentions detection of polymorphic lesions such as eczematous lesions, papules and vesicles along with burrows and axillae. It also states the effectiveness of traditional therapy using permethrin, in treating nodular scabies.

The article presents an answer to a clinical inquiry about the most effective treatment for patients with scabies and suggests the use of topical permethrin for classic scabies.

In 1991, Taplin et al. published a seminal study from Panama showing that mass drug administration of the then newly available permethrin cream dramatically reduced the high rates of endemic scabies in island communities.(1) In this issue of the Journal, Romani and colleagues report the results of the Skin Health Intervention Fiji Trial (SHIFT),(2) which confirm the efficacy of mass administration of topical permethrin for scabies control. However, in their elegant randomized study involving island communities in Fiji, they also found that mass administration of oral ivermectin had superior effectiveness for scabies control. This study is timely, because scabies . . . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the use of acitretin for the treatment of two elderly patients with crusted scabies. Topics discussed include the medical conditions of the patients, clinical diagnoses of the disease, and results of dermatological and parasitological examinations of the skin of both patients. Efficacy of topical permethrin is also mentioned.

Scabies is a common parasitic disease that can be recognized by the development of itchy lesions and a predilection for certain places on the body. It may infrequently present with patchy lesions. We report a patient with well-defined annular patches. Histopathology showed an egg of the scabies mite in the epidermis. Treatment with permethrin cream resulted in complete resolution of her disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various treatments for lice and scabies by using various drugs including pyrethrins, permethrin and malathion. It states that pyrethrins are natural extracts of the chrysanthemum plant which effectively kill crawling lice but not unhatched nits, permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, and malathion is a pediculicide and ovicide.