Sulfur 7% Cream Compared With Permethrin 5% Cream for Treating Scabies in Adults

This study compares two creams used to treat scabies, a common skin condition caused by mites that causes intense itching. Ninety adults with scabies were randomly assigned to receive either sulfur 7% cream or permethrin 5% cream. Sulfur cream was applied once each evening for three nights in a row; permethrin cream was applied once, left on overnight, and repeated after one week. Participants were examined after two weeks and again after four weeks to see whether the scabies had cleared. The study also looked at how quickly itching improved, how much sleep improved, how satisfied participants were with each treatment, how many side effects occurred, and how much each treatment cost. The goal is to help doctors and patients choose between these two widely available, inexpensive treatments based on real-world evidence of how well each one works and how well it is tolerated.