What is Permethrin 5% Cream?

Permethrin 5% cream is a topical scabies treatment. It works by killing the mites that cause a scabies infection and usually only requires one application to completely clear the mites.

What is the difference between Permethrin Cream and Lyclear?

Permethrin Cream is a generic version of Lyclear Dermal Cream. They both contain permethrin 5% as the active ingredient, however, as a generic treatment Permethrin Cream is slightly cheaper.

How much Permethrin Cream do I need?

The amount of Permethrin cream that you need to apply depends on your age:

How to apply Permethrin Cream

Adults & children over 2 years:

Apply the cream over the whole body but NOT the head and face. Pay particular attention to the areas between fingers and toes, under nails, wrists, armpits, external genitalia, breasts and buttocks.

The elderly:

Apply the cream over the whole body INCLUDING the neck, face, ears and scalp. Pay particular attention to the areas between fingers and toes, under nails, wrists, armpits, external genitalia, breasts and buttocks. Avoid the area close to the eyes.

General application notes

Permethrin cream should be applied to cool, dry skin. Do not apply the cream to broken skin or immediately after a hot bath or shower.

Once applied, the cream should be left on for at least 8 hours and washed off with soap and water within 12 hours. You should re-apply Permethrin Cream to the hands if they are washed with soap and water within 8 hours of applying the treatment.

Normally, a single application of the cream is enough to clear a scabies infection.

Permethrin cream ingredients

The active ingredient in Permethrin cream is permethrin 5% w/w.

The cream also contains the following inactive ingredients: cetylstearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin, macrogol cetostearyl ether, isopropylmyristate, benzyl alcohol and purified water.