Topical scabies therapy with permethrin is effective and well tolerated in infants younger than two months

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Proper management of infantile scabies is indispensable in order to prevent prolonged duration and spread of the disease. Data are still lacking that support topical treatment with permethrin 5 % cream in infants under two months of age, and application remains off-label for this age group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified infants younger than two months who suffered from scabies in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical treatment with permethrin cream in this age group. Diagnosis of scabies was based on the typical symptoms and pathognomonic features as determined with dermoscopy. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of the therapies that were applied. RESULTS: Seven scabies patients under two months of age were treated with permethrin 5 % cream. Topical therapy was repeated up to three times in four patients due to incomplete resolution or recurrence of skin lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Permethrin therapy was well tolerated in all seven infants, even when conducted several times. Our results confirm that the use of permethrin 5 % cream in children younger than two months of age is safe.