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Successful use of ivermectin in the treatment of endemic scabies in a nursing home
Author(s) -
Sullivan John R,
Watt Geoffrey,
Barker Brent
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.1997.tb01130.x
Subject(s) - ivermectin , scabies , medicine , permethrin , antiparasitic agent , benzyl benzoate , nursing homes , dermatology , veterinary medicine , nursing , pesticide , chemistry , organic chemistry , agronomy , biology
SUMMARY Ivermectin, an antiparasitic agent, was successfully used as a sole agent to combat endemic scabies in a closed 33‐bed ward of a rural nursing home. Previous topical therapies, including multiple applications of permethrin, ‐γ‐benzene hexachloride, benzyl benzoate and precipitated sulfur in white soft paraffin, had failed. Several patients exhibited hyperkeratotic crusted scabies with head and neck involvement and all residents except one recently arrived resident had evidence of active infestation. All residents were treated with 200 μg/kg of ivermectin and this dose was repeated 2 weeks later in all subjects. Four weeks after the first dose of ivermectin there was no evidence of active scabies and all rashes were totally resolved by 6 weeks. The action of ivermectin, its safety and its indications are discussed.