Treatment of scabies with permethrin versus lindane and benzyl benzoate.

This open clinical study was designed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and side effects of lindane (1% and 0.3%), benzyl benzoate (20% and 10%) and permethrin (5% and 2.5%) after two, three, and one application at bedtime, in the treatment of scabies in 114 adults and 80 children aged between 0 and 5 years. Treatment failures were registered after lindane in 3 adults and 2 children, whereas benzyl benzoate and permethrin cured all patients as assessed after a 3-week follow-up. The number of irritations and post-scabious eczematous reactions was increased after benzyl benzoate treatment. Permethrin proved to be very reliable and exhibited few side effects when applied once at bedtime. Because of the percutaneous absorption and neurotoxicity of lindane, the application of permethrin can be recommended as a useful alternative in premature infants and small children, patients with seizures and neurological complications, in cases of therapeutic failure with lindane the treatment needs to be repeated, in scabies crustosa, as well as in children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.