Crotamiton
Crotamiton is used to clear scabies mites and calm itchy skin; the range here is Eurax, a 5% cream applied to the affected area.
What crotamiton is used for
Most people searching for crotamiton have scabies, the mite infestation that makes skin itch badly, usually worst at night. The same cream is also used on itchy skin from insect bites and mild irritation. The mites die on contact with it, and it also eases the itch. It goes on the skin only, and very little is absorbed. There is no steroid and no antibiotic in the tube.
Scabies: how the cream is used
The mite behind scabies burrows into the skin and lays eggs in tiny tunnels, and the itch is usually at its worst at night. Treatment means covering the skin the mites can reach, not only the spots that itch.
Adults apply the cream from the chin down, working it into every crease — between the fingers and toes, around the wrists, under the arms, around the nails — leave it for a full 24 hours, then wash it off and put on a second dose for another 24 hours. That second round deals with mites hatching from eggs the first application did not reach.
Everyone living in the same household is usually treated on the same day, because scabies passes through skin-to-skin contact and comes straight back from an untreated person. Hot-washing bedding, towels and clothing helps clear it as well.
Itchy skin without scabies
Insect bites, dry patches and mild irritation respond to a thin layer rubbed in two or three times a day. Wash your hands afterwards unless your hands are the problem. Crotamiton is for short stretches while the itch lasts rather than an everyday moisturiser, and it should not go on cracked, weeping or badly inflamed skin.
Side effects and what to expect
Stinging or redness where the cream goes on is the usual reaction, and it often fades over the first few applications. Spreading redness, swelling or blisters point to an allergy, and the cream should be stopped. Eyes, mouth and other moist areas need protecting from it; rinse with plenty of water if some gets in.
After scabies treatment the itch can hang on for a week or two. The mites are gone by then and the skin is simply slow to recover.
Eurax, the crotamiton cream here
The one crotamiton listing is Eurax, a 5% cream in a tube, used for scabies and for everyday itching alike. It appears in both the antiparasitics and skin care ranges. Tube sizes are on the Eurax page, and the cap should go back on after each use.
Sources
- Eurax Cream - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) | 2255 — electronic medicines compendium (emc)
- EURAX- crotamiton cream — DailyMed
Can I order Crotamiton online in Hong Kong?
Crotamiton can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range here is generic Eurax, a 5% cream. Tracked courier delivery to Hong Kong takes 5 to 9 business days and comes with online tracking.
How are Crotamiton prices shown?
The price depends on the strength and pack size you choose. The Eurax page shows current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Crotamiton?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order crotamiton. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What brand names does crotamiton have?
Eurax is a brand name of crotamiton. Here, crotamiton can be bought online as generic Eurax. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does the itch last after scabies treatment?
The mites die soon after the cream goes on, but the irritation they caused can keep itching for one to two weeks, often worse at night. Two applications, 24 hours apart, are all the course needs, so more cream will not speed it up.
Can I shower after putting crotamiton on?
Not during scabies treatment — the cream needs to stay on the skin for the full 24 hours before it is washed off. Washing your hands after applying it is fine; a bath or shower in between will rinse the treatment away.
Can I use crotamiton cream on my face?
Keep it away from the face, eyes, lips and mouth, and off broken or oozing skin. For scabies, adults treat from the chin down, so the face is left out. If any gets in the eye, rinse it out with plenty of water.
How often can I apply crotamiton for itchy skin?
Two or three times a day is the usual pattern, rubbed in as a thin layer while the irritation lasts. Wash your hands afterwards unless your hands are the itchy area. It is not meant to be used continuously for weeks on end.
Is Eurax the same as crotamiton?
Eurax is the brand name; crotamiton is the medicine inside it. The tube sold here is a 5% cream, and it is used the same way whether the problem is scabies or plain itchy skin.