Publication:

Scabies in children and its outcome with topical permethrin and oral ivermectin: a single center prospective study

Background Scabies is highly prevalent in children less than 6 years and more so in less than 2 years of age. Treating scabies in infants and children is challenging. The objective was to study the characteristics and distribution of lesions and outcome with topical Permethrin and Oral Ivermectin in scabies in children.

Methods 264 cases of scabies from the skin and pediatric outpatient of a tertiary care center were enrolled.

Results It is common in children below 5 years of age. The effectiveness of local Permethrin and oral Ivermectin was not significantly different in the form of complete cure.

Conclusions Children tend to scratch the rash repeatedly, the scratch marks and crusting of the rash sometimes make this infection hard to identify, hence high index of suspicion is required to diagnose. Complicated lesions in scabies require more duration than uncomplicated lesions. Permethrin and Ivermectin are equally effective in scabies. Ivermectin being orally administered is a drug of choice in epidemics.