Examples

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

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2006). Scabies. In LK Pickering, ed., Red Book: 2006 Report on the Committee of Infectious Diseases, 27th ed., pp. 584–587. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.