Permethrin Cream

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:

• Use moisturisers or emollients to keep your skin hydrated.
• Take cool baths or use gentle, fragrance-free creams to ease skin irritation.
• Avoid scratching, as this can cause broken skin, which will delay healing and worsen irritation.

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.