What is permethrin used for?

Permethrin is an insecticidal medicine applied to the skin or hair according to the product instructions. For scabies, the aim is to kill mites and help stop spread through close contact. Itching can continue for a while after successful treatment because the skin may remain inflamed; ongoing itch alone does not prove that treatment has failed. New burrows, new bumps, or symptoms in household contacts need clinical review.

Apply the prescribed preparation to the areas and for the contact time specified by your clinician or product leaflet. Wash hands after application unless the hands are part of the treated area. Household members and close contacts may need assessment, and recently used clothing, bedding, and towels should be handled according to local medical advice. Do not apply more often or to broken skin without guidance, and keep the product away from eyes and mouth.

Arrange a review if new burrows or bumps appear after treatment, if itching is severe or worsening, or if a child, pregnant person, or person with weakened immunity is affected. Seek urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, extensive blistering, or signs of a skin infection such as spreading warmth, pus, or fever.

Ask which body areas need treatment, whether close contacts should be treated, when application should be repeated, and how to distinguish lingering itch from active scabies.