Permethrin Lotion Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, And More

Permethrin is a type of antiseptic medicine that doctors recommend curing conditions related to infestations and to get rid of insects, lice, mites, and so on. Permethrin can also often act as an effective cure for reducing infections caused by parasites. If your doctor advises you to use any medicine that consists of Permethrin, and if you are wondering what this medicine is all about, then this article is just ideal article for you.

Read this article till the end to get a detailed account of what Permethrin lotion is, why it is used, its benefits, side effects, and other necessary facts about this medicine.

Why will your doctor recommend that you use Permethrin medicine?

Doctors recommend Permethrin medicine for treating scabies, which develops when mites attach themselves to the skin in both adults and children. This is often prescribed by doctors as an over-the-counter medicine for treating infections caused by lice. Permethrin is available in different forms such as cream, liquid, and lotion. The composition of this medicine is such that it helps in killing lice, mites, and tiny insects by damaging and disrupting the functions of their muscles and nerve cells.

Permethrin is available in two types of variations: Permethrin 1% lotion is used to treat head lice infections, whereas the 5% cream is recommended by doctors to treat scabies infections by destroying the mites that cause scabies. Your doctor may ask you to use the Permethrin lotion on the skin surface, but the doses will depend on the appearance of mites or lice. For instance, if live lice are seen even seven days after the first treatment with over-the-counter permethrin lotion, then a second treatment should be recommended by your health care professional.

The effectiveness of using the Permethrin medicine:

Permethrin is in a class of medications that are clinically termed as scabicides and pediculicides. Using a Permethrin lotion is effective for curing mite and lice infections because this medicine helps in destroying both the lice and their eggs.

You can apply this medicine in the form of cream or lotion on your scalp if you find that you have head lice attached to your scalp. This medicine is also effective enough when it comes to curing irritation and itching caused in the scalp due to the appearance of lice. In some cases, Permathrin can also be used as an insecticide, and you can also spray or apply this medicine on the outer surfaces of your clothing to get rid of the insects that may affect you.

How should you use Permethrin lotion medicine?

Permethrin is a medicine available in the form of lotion that you may use by directly applying it to the surface of the skin or scalp of the head to prevent lice or small insects that attach themselves to the skin on the head. It can be externally applied, that is, only on the skin, for adults and children 2 months of age and older, as it works effectively by killing lice and mites.

When used as an over-the-counter medicine, Permethrin is applied as a lotion on the scalp and hair. It can be used on the skin in one treatment, but in some cases, a second treatment is necessary. Occasionally, your doctor may recommend three treatments, if necessary, but these prescriptions entirely depend on the appearance of live mites and lice after the application of the medicine.

Here is a word of caution when you are using Permethrin lotion medicine: you must make sure that you are applying this medicine only externally, and you must avoid getting Permethrin in your eyes, nose, ears, mouth, or vagina. You must also refrain from using Permethrin on your eyebrows or eyelashes.

What are the benefits of using Permethrin medicine?

Permethrin is a kind of medicine that is primarily used for killing head lice and mites and to get rid of scabies. Here is a list of some more health benefits that you may enjoy by using Permethrin lotion:

1. Permethrin lotion is easy to apply:

Permethrin lotion is easy to apply to the surface of your skin and to the scalp of your hair. This helps in easier treatment of head lice and mites on the skin and hair, and cures occurrences of scabies.

2. Permethrin lotion is usually a single application:

This medicinal lotion is quite effective, so that a single application may be enough for curing scabies and the appearance of mites or lice. But if the active or live lice continue even after a single application, the doctor may further increase the doses as well.

3. Permethrin medicine provides long-lasting protection:

Permethrin lotion is effective enough to ensure that when you apply this cream or lotion on the scalp or on the surface of your skin, you are likely not to develop scabies or mite infection later.

Apart from these, there are some other benefits of using Permethrin lotion as well, some of which are listed here as follows:

• Fast and effective treatment for scabies and lice

• Safe for both children and adults

• Minimal side effects compared to other forms of scabies treatment options.

What are the safety concerns while using Permethrin lotion?

When you are prescribed to use Permethrin lotion for the treatment of scabies or similar scalp or skin conditions, you need to follow certain protocols and safety guidelines. Some of them are listed here as follows:

• This medicine is for external use only

• Try to avoid contact with the eyes and mouth while using this lotion

• Do not use on broken or infected skin

• Consult a doctor before using on infants or pregnant women

• Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight

What are the side effects of using Permethrin lotion?

Using Permethrin lotion is more or less safe and effective for curing scabies and infections caused by mites and head lice. But there can be side effects of using this medicine as well. Though the negative effects do not occur to everyone, and the intensity will depend on an individual’s overall health and medical history, here are some side effects of using Permethrin lotion:

• Allergic reactions

• Mild to severe itching or redness at the site of application

• Temporary skin irritation

• Burning or tingling sensation

• Rashes, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, and tongue, but these occurrences are rare.

To avoid the occurrences of such side effects, you must first consult with a doctor before you start using this lotion. You should also follow the directions on your prescription label or the package label carefully.

Which doctor should you consult if you use Permethrin lotion?

You may wonder which kind of health care expert you must consult before you start using Permethrin lotion. You need not worry at all. If you feel that you are developing scabies or irritation in the scalp due to the growth of head lice, then you must initially consult a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a skin expert who will suggest that you use Permethrin lotion.

The doctor may also recommend the doses in which you may need to apply the lotion on your skin or scalp based on the appearance of live mites and other related conditions.

Final Thoughts:

To conclude, one may say that Permethrin lotion is quite a safe and effective medicine when it comes to the treatment of infections my lice and mites by killing tiny insects and treating scabies. It is a common over-the-counter medicine that is often recommended by doctors and needs to be applied directly to the scalp and skin.

But, when you are using the Permethrin lotion, it is important to check whether you are developing any side effects or any allergic reactions as a result of this medicine. You must limit or discontinue using this medicine if you have side effects and consult your doctor immediately.