£19.99
Variety of delivery options including next day & free delivery.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Start your treatment with a quick and free online consultation.
This is a prescription product.You need to complete a consultation form and allow our pharmacists to access your NHS records for review before we can issue this treatment.
Variety of delivery options including next day & free delivery.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Start your treatment with a quick and free online consultation.
Fill in a quick online consultation for our licensed pharmacists to review.
Our pharmacists will review your treatment to ensure it’s suitable.
Your treatment will be delivered to your door quickly & discretely.
| Medication Name | Permethrin cream |
| Medication Form | Cream 30g |
| Used for | Treats scabies and crab lice infestations |
| Active Ingredients | Permethrin |
| Strength | 5% w/w |
| Patient Information Leaflet | Permethrin Patient Information Leaflet |
Permethrin 5% w/w Cream is a trusted scabies and crab lice treatment. By applying the cream as directed, you can relieve the itching, redness and irritation caused by these conditions and allow your skin to heal and recover.
As the skin heals, it’s normal for some itching to continue for a short while as your body recovers from the irritation. Using gentle, unscented moisturisers or emollients can help soothe any lingering discomfort while your skin returns to normal.
Permethrin 5% w/w Cream treats crab lice and scabies infestations by killing the mites and lice that cause these conditions. The treatment is typically applied once, and reapplication may be needed after 7–14 days if symptoms persist.
Permethrin Cream is a topical treatment that is applied directly to the skin to help manage scabies and lice infestations. It contains permethrin, an ingredient from the pyrethroid family, which is specially designed to target the tiny mites responsible for scabies.
Applying the cream to the whole body helps clear the infestation, bringing relief from the persistent itching and irritation that scabies can cause.
Permethrin scabies cream can be used by adults and children aged 2 months and older. For children under 23 months, it should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.
At Click2Pharmacy, we can only prescribe Permethrin Cream to adults over the age of 18.
It is not suitable for people allergic to permethrin, any of the cream’s ingredients, or chrysanthemums or similar plants.
Follow these steps to apply Permethrin Cream safely and effectively:
A second application of Permethrin Cream should be done 7–14 days after the first treatment to make sure the infestation is fully cleared.
Dry skin and itching are common after treatment. Once the first 8 hours have passed after applying the cream, you can use moisturisers and take oil baths to soothe your skin. Itching and a rash (called post-scabies eczema) may continue for up to four weeks after treatment.
If you feel that the condition is not improving after using Permethrin Cream, speak to your doctor before applying it again.
For a full list of side effects, read the patient information leaflet provided.
If you experience any side effects, inform your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly through the Yellow Card Scheme. Reporting helps to improve the understanding of this medication’s safety.
One treatment of Permethrin Cream is usually enough to get rid of scabies and lice. It should be left on the skin for at least 8 hours, and treatment should be repeated after 7–14 days to ensure all mites are cleared.
However, if the whole body is not treated properly, there is a risk of treatment failure. If symptoms of scabies continue weeks after treatment with Permethrin, it may mean that mites were not fully eliminated, and another round of treatment may be needed. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Permethrin cream does not interact with alcohol, but it is best to avoid drinking excessively during treatment.
You shouldn’t use Permethrin cream during pregnancy unless your doctor advises you to do so. If you are breastfeeding, avoid applying the cream to the breast area to prevent the baby from ingesting it.
No, Permethrin Cream is a prescription-only medication and cannot be purchased over the counter. It is available to buy online from our scabies treatment clinic. When you buy this product, we will ask you to complete a short online consultation to check its suitability. Our pharmacists will review your details and prescribe Permethrin Cream if appropriate.
Lyclear Dermal Cream is the brand name for Permethrin Cream. Both are recommended treatments for scabies as they contain the same active ingredient, permethrin, at the same strength.
Yes, Permethrin Cream is used to treat head lice. However, there are products specifically designed for head lice, like Hedrin 4% Lotion or Lyclear Cream Rinse, which contain lower concentrations of permethrin (usually 1%).
The 5% cream is mainly used for scabies, but it can also be used to treat lice if your doctor prescribes it. If you are using Permethrin Cream 5% for head lice, make sure to follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions.
Permethrin Cream should be applied all over the body from the neck down to treat scabies. You don’t need to use this cream above the neck unless you have itching associated with scabies on your face. It’s best to avoid putting the cream near sensitive areas like your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you need to use it on your face due to scabies, apply it carefully and avoid getting it on any sensitive areas.
It’s completely normal to experience some itching for a few weeks after using Permethrin Cream. Even though the treatment targets the lice or mites and their eggs, your skin may still react to the irritation left behind by the infestation.
If your skin is inflamed, this can be caused by an allergic reaction to the scabies mites. This won’t disappear immediately after the treatment, as your body needs time to heal. In some cases, the itching can persist for up to four weeks as your skin naturally recovers.
To help soothe lingering discomfort:
If the itching persists beyond four weeks or worsens, consult your doctor or pharmacist to rule out reinfestation or another skin condition.
Scabies are caused by tiny mites that live under the skin, leading to itching and irritation. It spreads mostly through skin-to-skin contact, meaning it passes easily from person to person through close contact, like holding hands, hugging, or sleeping in the same bed.
Scabies can also spread through shared items like bedding, clothes, and towels, though this is less common. The mites can survive for a short time on fabrics, so washing these items in hot water can help stop them from spreading. Treating everyone in the household at the same time is important to prevent scabies from coming back.
“Permethrin cream is a great choice for treating scabies and crab lice. It’s easy to use and works fast to get rid of the problem, helping to reduce itching and discomfort.”
Sakib Mohammed
MPHARM
Page content authored by Sakib Mohammed, last reviewed by Amjad Khan on 11th October 2024.
