Permethrin 5% w/w Cream - 30g (Brand may vary)

What Is Permethrin Cream 5 for Scabies?

Scabies is an intensely itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei that burrow into the outer layers of your skin. It spreads easily through close physical contact, and it can affect anyone — regardless of age or hygiene. Permethrin cream 5 for scabies is one of the most widely recommended first-line treatments in the UK, used by the NHS to clear infestations quickly and reliably. This 30g tube contains permethrin at a 5% w/w concentration, applied directly to the skin to kill both the mites and their eggs.

Available from Cured Pharmacy for just £10.75, this cream offers a clinically recognised solution you can use at home. If you're also dealing with head lice alongside scabies, you may find our head lice treatments useful to browse alongside this product.

How Does Permethrin 5% Cream Work Against Scabies?

Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid — a class of insecticide derived from naturally occurring compounds found in chrysanthemum flowers. It works by targeting the nervous system of parasites rather than humans, which is why it's considered safe for topical use at the correct concentration.

• Permethrin binds to voltage-gated sodium channels in the nerve cell membranes of the mite.
• This disrupts normal nerve impulse transmission, causing prolonged depolarisation.
• The mite becomes paralysed and dies, unable to reproduce or burrow further.
• Because it also affects mite eggs, a single application can break the infestation cycle when used correctly.

Mammals metabolise permethrin rapidly through the skin and liver, which is why it does not accumulate in the body at therapeutic topical doses.

Who Should Use Permethrin 5% w/w Cream?

This cream is suitable for a wide range of patients. The NHS recommends it as a first-choice treatment for scabies in most adults and children. That said, it's worth knowing who it's most appropriate for before you buy.

• Adults and teenagers with a confirmed or suspected scabies infestation.
• Children aged 2 months and over (under medical supervision for younger infants).
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women — only when advised by a doctor, as safety data is limited.
• Household contacts of an infected person, even if they show no symptoms yet.

It's important that all close contacts are treated at the same time to prevent re-infestation. Washing bedding, towels, and clothing at 60°C on the same day as treatment is also strongly advised.

How Does Permethrin Compare to Other Scabies Treatments?

Is Permethrin 5% Cream Safe to Store at Home?

Yes — permethrin 5% w/w cream is straightforward to store safely at home. Keep it below 25°C, away from direct sunlight, and out of reach of children. Do not freeze the cream, as this can affect its consistency and efficacy. Once opened, use within the period indicated on the packaging.

If you're managing other skin conditions alongside scabies, our creams and ointments collection includes a range of topical treatments that may complement your care plan. Always check with your pharmacist before combining products.

This product is a medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Is Permethrin 5% w/w Cream and What Is It Used For?

Permethrin 5% w/w Cream is a topical antiparasitic medicine used primarily to treat scabies — a highly contagious skin infestation caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It may also be used to treat head lice in some cases, though specific formulations for lice differ. The cream is applied to the skin, where it kills the mites and their eggs on contact. It is available over the counter in the UK as a Pharmacy (P) medicine, meaning you can purchase it without a GP prescription from a registered pharmacy.

Scabies causes intense itching — often worse at night — along with a rash, small blisters, or burrow tracks, particularly between the fingers, on the wrists, and around the waistline. Permethrin cream 5 for scabies is the NHS's preferred first-line treatment for this condition in most patient groups.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Permethrin 5% Cream?

Before applying this cream, read the following carefully. There are certain situations where you should not use it, or where you should seek advice first.

Do not use this cream if you:

• Are allergic to permethrin, any synthetic pyrethroid or pyrethrin, or any other ingredient in the cream.
• Have an infant under 2 months of age (seek GP advice for younger babies).
• Have broken, infected, or severely inflamed skin across large areas of the body.

Speak to your pharmacist or GP before use if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Have asthma or a history of severe allergic reactions.
• Are treating a child — application to the face and scalp may be needed in young children and should be done carefully.
• Have previously had a reaction to insecticide-based products.

Known drug interactions:

• No clinically significant interactions are known at standard topical doses.
• Avoid using alongside other topical skin preparations on the same area at the same time unless directed by a healthcare professional.

How Should You Use Permethrin 5% w/w Cream?

Correct application is essential for the treatment to work. Follow these steps carefully, and make sure all household contacts are treated simultaneously — even if they have no symptoms.

1. Bathe or shower and allow your skin to cool and dry completely before applying.
2. Apply the cream from the neck downwards, covering all skin surfaces including between fingers and toes, under nails, the groin, and the soles of the feet.
3. In children under 2 years, elderly patients, and immunocompromised individuals, also apply to the face and scalp — avoiding the eyes and mouth.
4. Leave the cream on for 8 to 12 hours (overnight application is ideal).
5. Wash the cream off thoroughly after the contact period.
6. A second application is usually recommended 7 days after the first to catch any newly hatched mites.
7. Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels at 60°C on the day of treatment.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Permethrin 5% Cream?

Like all medicines, permethrin cream can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Most reactions are mild and localised to the skin.

Common side effects:

• Mild burning or stinging sensation after application.
• Temporary itching at the application site (this may also be a symptom of the scabies itself resolving).
• Redness or mild skin irritation.

Less common side effects:

• Numbness or tingling of the skin.
• Rash or eczema-like reaction.
• Swelling of the treated area.

It's worth noting that itching can persist for up to four weeks after successful treatment — this is a normal immune response to dead mites and eggs, not a sign that the treatment has failed. If you're unsure whether your symptoms are improving, speak to your pharmacist. You can also explore our skin care range for products that may help soothe post-treatment irritation.

How Should You Store Permethrin 5% w/w Cream?

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place.
• Do not freeze.
• Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the tube or carton.
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste — return unused product to your pharmacy.