Acticin

permethrin

Permethrin 5% Cream: A Comprehensive Guide

What is Permethrin 5% Cream?

Permethrin 5% cream is a topical medication used to effectively treat scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. This cream works by killing the mites and their eggs, providing relief from the intense itching and rash associated with scabies.

Important Information for Your Healthcare Professional

Before using permethrin 5% cream, it's crucial to inform your healthcare provider about certain medical conditions. This is especially important if you have:

• Asthma
• A history of allergic reactions to permethrin, other medications (including veterinary or household insecticides), chrysanthemums, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Providing this information allows your healthcare professional to assess potential risks and determine if permethrin 5% cream is the appropriate treatment for you.

How to Apply Permethrin 5% Cream

This medication is for external use only. Never ingest this cream. A bath or shower before application is unnecessary. Follow these steps for effective application:

1. Thoroughly rub the cream into all skin surfaces, from your head to the soles of your feet. Don't focus solely on the rash; ensure complete coverage.
2. Pay special attention to areas like between fingers and toes, wrist and waist creases, the cleft of the buttocks, genitals, and belly button.
3. Use a toothpick to apply the cream under your fingernails and toenails. Keep your nails trimmed short.
4. For individuals with little to no hair, infants, or young children, ensure thorough application to the neck, scalp, hairline, temples, and forehead.
5. Leave the cream on for 8 to 14 hours, then remove it by bathing and shampooing.
6. If applying to someone else, wear plastic or disposable gloves to prevent self-infestation.
7. Avoid contact with the eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Consult your pediatrician before using this medication on children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 2 months, precautions should be considered.

Overdosage: In case of suspected overdose, immediately contact a poison control center or emergency room.

Important Note: This medication is for your personal use only. Do not share it with others.

Potential Drug Interactions

While significant interactions are not typically expected, it's crucial to inform your healthcare provider about all medications, herbs, over-the-counter drugs, or dietary supplements you are using. This includes mentioning if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs, as these substances could potentially affect the treatment.

Avoid using other skin products on the affected areas without consulting your doctor or healthcare professional.

Monitoring Your Progress

Itching and rash may persist for 2 to 4 weeks post-treatment. This is sometimes a temporary reaction to mite remnants and doesn't necessarily indicate treatment failure or the need for reapplication. However, if the itching or rash is severe or persists beyond 4 weeks, promptly contact your healthcare provider.

Scabies is highly contagious. Family members and sexual partners should be evaluated for treatment. Discuss this with your doctor.

Wash all clothing, towels, and bed linens that have come into contact with your skin using a normal washing cycle. Clean clothing that hasn't been worn doesn't require rewashing. There's no need for special cleaning of coats, furniture, rugs, floors, or walls.

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects that usually don't require medical attention (but report to your doctor if they persist or are bothersome) include:

• Itching
• Numbness
• Rash
• Redness or mild skin swelling
• Stinging or burning
• Tingling sensation

This list may not include all possible side effects.

Storage Instructions

Keep out of reach of children. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Discard any unused medication after the expiration date.

```