What is the best medication for treating scabies?
Generally speaking, there is no absolute answer to the question of "what is the best medicine for treating scabies." Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by the parasitism of scabies mites in the epidermis of human skin. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as ivermectin chewable tablets, crotamiton cream, zinc oxide and sublimed sulfur ointment, benzyl benzoate lotion, and clove basil oil cream for treatment. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Ivermectin Chewable Tablets
An oral antiparasitic medication primarily used for severe scabies infections or cases where topical treatments have proven ineffective. It achieves a mite-killing effect by interfering with the nervous system of parasites and typically requires a single dose.
2. Crotamiton Cream
Crotamiton cream has a dual function of killing scabies mites and relieving itching. It can kill scabies mites by altering their cell membrane structure and disrupting their physiological functions. It also inhibits skin sensory nerve endings to reduce itching symptoms, making it suitable for scabies patients to alleviate discomfort and treat the condition.
3. Zinc Oxide and Sublimed Sulfur Ointment
Zinc oxide and sublimed sulfur ointment is a topical antiseptic and insecticidal medication. Upon contact with the skin, it generates hydrogen sulfide and pentathionic acid, which have the effect of killing scabies mites, bacteria, and fungi. This medication is relatively mild in irritation and can be used to treat scabies, especially suitable for populations such as infants, young children, and pregnant women who have lower tolerance to other drugs.
4. Benzyl Benzoate Lotion
Benzyl benzoate lotion has a strong scabicidal effect. It can rapidly penetrate the epidermis and act on the body of the scabies mites, destroying their cellular structure and causing the mites' death. It is suitable for the treatment of scabies and can effectively eliminate scabies mites and alleviate skin symptoms caused by mite infestation.
5. Clove Basil Oil Cream
Clove basil oil cream's main ingredient is clove basil oil, which has the effect of killing scabies mites. It interferes with the normal physiological metabolism of scabies mites, inhibiting their growth and reproduction, ultimately leading to their death. This medication is a traditional Chinese medicine topical preparation with relatively mild properties, making it suitable for scabies patients.
Maintaining good personal hygiene, changing clothes and bedding frequently, and washing and sun-drying used clothing in boiling water are important measures to prevent cross-infection by avoiding sharing personal items with others. During treatment, scratching the skin should be avoided to prevent skin damage and secondary infections, which may hinder recovery.