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Crotamiton 10% for Scabies

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
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.

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.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: March 14, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.