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Topical ivermectin: a new successful treatment for scabies
1Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. jairovic@emcali.net.co
Pediatric Dermatology
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Topical ivermectin effectively treats scabies in Colombian families. This easily administered, low-cost medication demonstrated high efficacy with no side effects in adults and children.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Parasitology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ivermectin is a widely used avermectin in human medicine.
- It is the recommended treatment for onchocerciasis (river blindness).
- Ivermectin has shown efficacy against human endo- and ectoparasites with minimal side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of topical ivermectin for treating scabies.
- To assess the ease of administration, application speed, and efficacy of ivermectin in a Colombian population.
Main Methods:
- A trial was conducted on six families with active scabies (12 adults, 20 children aged 1-10 years).
- Patients received a topical application of 1% ivermectin in propylene glycol.
- The dosage was 400 microg/kg, repeated one week later.
Main Results:
- All patients achieved a complete cure from scabies.
- The medication was well-tolerated with no reported side effects.
- No signs of recurrence were observed at 2, 4, or 6 weeks post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Topical ivermectin is a highly effective treatment for scabies.
- The medication offers easy administration and rapid application.
- Ivermectin is a low-cost therapeutic option with excellent tolerability and no adverse effects.