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Diagnosed With Scabies, Used Tea Tree Oil, Permethrin Cream, Itching Has Worsened. What Is The Cause?
Hello. I recently treated for what I *think* was scabies , after having been exposed to someone who had them. First I tried using Tea Tree Oil on my skin without mixing it with a carrier oil. Oops. Then I did the prescribed permethrin cream about 4-5 days ago. The bites itch worse than ever now. And now my face has become extremely dry, red, itchy and my eyes are incredibly swollen. Could this be from the Tea Tree Oil? And how long until I know if the scabies are gone. I m very anxious that maybe the permethrin didn t work. Please help!
Thu, 20 Sep 2012
Hi there.
Did you at the outset visit a dermatologist or is this all home diagnosed & treated? If not, your first objective is to go meet a dermatologist in your area.
Known exposure to scabies et al is all good & must be treated but the incubation period varies.
Firstly now, address the redness of face & swelling et al which can be a reaction to either your tea tree oil application or the permethrin appln if you used it on the face. Take an oral antihistamine fexofenadine 180mg once/day & or a topical steroid (mometasone furoate) for the face twice/day for 2-3 days. This should settle the acute irritation.
Then, you need to reasess the scabies factor. Vist a dermatologist. There are various treatments available & DIFFERENT ways of applying each with precautions & cautions & best explained by your dermatologist. Scabies responds well to treatment & you should be rid of the itch in 24-48 hrs but sometimes the 'bite lesions' may take longer a week or so & may require application of topical crotamiton cream. Also remember 'fomites' need to be treated.
Cheers & wish you good health & an itch-free skin.
Dr Praveen RodriguesMD
Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, Venereologist,
Vikram Hospital, Bangalore, India
Did you at the outset visit a dermatologist or is this all home diagnosed & treated? If not, your first objective is to go meet a dermatologist in your area.
Known exposure to scabies et al is all good & must be treated but the incubation period varies.
Firstly now, address the redness of face & swelling et al which can be a reaction to either your tea tree oil application or the permethrin appln if you used it on the face. Take an oral antihistamine fexofenadine 180mg once/day & or a topical steroid (mometasone furoate) for the face twice/day for 2-3 days. This should settle the acute irritation.
Then, you need to reasess the scabies factor. Vist a dermatologist. There are various treatments available & DIFFERENT ways of applying each with precautions & cautions & best explained by your dermatologist. Scabies responds well to treatment & you should be rid of the itch in 24-48 hrs but sometimes the 'bite lesions' may take longer a week or so & may require application of topical crotamiton cream. Also remember 'fomites' need to be treated.
Cheers & wish you good health & an itch-free skin.
Dr Praveen RodriguesMD
Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, Venereologist,
Vikram Hospital, Bangalore, India
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