Can You Use a Head Lice Treatment For Scabies?

If your child has head lice, you can use a topical lotion that contains 0.5% malathion in 78% isopropanol. However, there are some risks associated with this type of product. For example, the ingredient may harm children’s cognitive development. You should also check the product label to make sure it is safe for young children.

You should apply the liquid on the head and neck, making sure not to get it in the eyes. It is also important to apply it to the areas around the body that mites prefer to hide, like underarms and nipples. Make sure you use a shower cap afterward, as the medication may still cause itching for up to four weeks.

While you can treat yourself immediately, you should also treat all of your household members, sleeping partners, and close contacts. Oftentimes, it takes six weeks to show symptoms of scabies, so it is important to treat your family and close friends as soon as you notice any symptoms. To ensure that you get the maximum results, follow the instructions on the packaging.

If you do decide to try a topical treatment, you may want to look for one that contains permethrin. This is an anti-parasitic that works by damaging the parasites’ nerves. This causes the parasites to paralyze and die. However, there are some risks associated with this type of medication, and you should only use it as a last resort if your first choice does not work.