Comparison Of Efficacy Of Topical 5% Permethrin With Topical 10% Sulphur In The Treatment Of Scabies

Abstract

Background: Still a major public health issue, Sarcoptes scabiei causes the widespread parasitic skin condition known as scabies. Comparative analysis of the safety and efficacy of 5% permethrin cream and 10% sulfur ointment in scabies therapy helps one to choose the best therapeutic strategy. Objectives: In patients diagnosed with scabies, topical 5% permethrin and 10% sulfur's efficacy, symptom remission, recurrence rates and side effects were compared. Methods: Two treatment groups—Group I (5% permethrin) and Group II (10% sulfur ointment) were randomly assigned sixty adult scabies patients each. Based on lesion reduction, pruritus alleviation and recurrence rates, clinical evaluations conducted at weeks 1, 2, and 4 assessed therapy success. Patient compliance and side effects of drugs were also recorded. Results: Complete cure rates for sulfur were 86% at week 4 and for permethrin were 91%. Permethrin showed faster drop in lesion count (92% vs. 87%) and pruritus (86% vs. 81%). The permethrin group had lower reinfestation rates—7%—than the sulfur (9%) group. While permethrin had less recorded side effects and greater compliance (95% vs. 87%), adverse effects were more frequent in the sulfur group, including odor-related discomfort (14%), and transitory itching increase (15%). Conclusion: Compared to 10% sulfur ointment, 5% permethrin proved faster in resolving symptoms, more tolerable and more effective. While sulfur may be used as an alternative when permethrin is contraindicated, permethrin should remain the first-line treatment for scabies due to greater compliance and reduced reinfestation rates.