What if Permethrin or Clove Oil is not washed off after 12 hours?

No, wash it off with a washcloth if you can’t get her in the shower. Follow the instructions.

Hello Everyone. Thank you for your helpful replies.

I emailed scabies scientist Dr. Burt Currie of Menzies University who authored a New England Journal of Medicine paper on Scabies. He said it was safe to leave permethrin on the skin for longer than 12 hours.

After my experiences (below), I believe that clove oil is more effective than permethrin.

I applied clove oil only to those parts that had the rash (being afraid due to Mum being 96yo and her skin is translucent and very fragile).

After the first application, the next day, about 50 small round black eggs and small light brown round mites fell out onto her bedsheet and I collected them in a plastic container and changed her bedding.

Thereafter, I applied clove oil several times more over the next few days.

Then, I bathed her. The next day, uncontrollable itching but not as bad as before. I reapplied clove oil and waited a few days.

After her skin had considerably cleared up, I applied permethrin all over (as per instructions). But after about only 9 hours, she had uncontrollable itching in her right armpit (one of the previously affected areas). I again applied permethrin.

After waiting for a while, Mum specifically asked for clove oil. Only after I applied that did she obtain relief from uncontrollable itching.

I bought 6 bottles of clove oil (20 mL each) at the Indian grocery store (cheaper than on-line or elsewhere) for Australian $3 per bottle. Whereas the subsidized permetrhin costs $5.60 (for Mum) and $13 (for me). But I believe clove oil is better. Some scabies is permethrin-resistant.

I know some wonderful lovely and compassionate nurses have replied. But who gave Mum scabies ? I think it was the nurse who gave her the corona vaccine #1 because I saw her stroke Mum's right arm about 3 times with her ungloved fingers. Then, she donned gloves before giving Mama her shot.

Mama has not had visitors ever since corona broke out January 2020. I don't meet anyone because I am 24x7 sole carer for Mum and you all know how demanding that is.

Scabies scientist Dr. Currie was very surprised that Mum picked up a scabies infection from such a brief encounter with the nurse but there can be no other explanation because nobody else has touched her.

Prefer, this information on permethrin might be of interest:

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html

This provides much better information on how to safely use permethrin:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698037.html

I've avoided buying any products with permethrin, even just for protection.   If you're really, really worried, you might try to find a doctor who only treats with natural remedies, a homeopath, to suggest an alternative to permethrin

And this provides information on clove oil:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321256#side-effect.

If it were me, I'd continue to use the clove oil, and not the permethrin at all, but if you do use it, follow the guidelines and use it sparingly.

"Crusted scabies is a severe form of scabies that can occur in some persons who are immunocompromised (have a weak immune system), elderly, disabled, or debilitated. It is also called Norwegian scabies. Persons with crusted scabies have thick crusts of skin that contain large numbers of scabies mites and eggs. Persons with crusted scabies are very contagious to other persons and can spread the infestation easily both by direct skin-to-skin contact and by contamination of items such as their clothing, bedding, and furniture. Persons with crusted scabies may not show the usual signs and symptoms of scabies such as the characteristic rash or itching (pruritus). Persons with crusted scabies should receive quick and aggressive medical treatment for their infestation to prevent outbreaks of scabies.

"Scabies usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. Contact generally must be prolonged; a quick handshake or hug usually will not spread scabies. Scabies is spread easily to sexual partners and household members..."

source: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/gen_info/faqs.html#:~:text=Scabies%20usually%20is%20spread%20by,sexual%20partners%20and%20household%20members.

It depends what you mean by a safer alternative. It's certainly safer for the scabies mites, and I trust they're grateful to you.

If you can't apply the cream and then wash it off as per the prescription, get help to do this. Do you have any regular help with personal care from HCAs or anything like that? If not, ask your doctor if he can recommend any local agencies and explain the difficulty.

I think, in addition to what cwillie recommends, that you're going to need to wash all the linens she uses, clothing she's worn, and every soft goods item she's touched; ie: towels, chairs, sofa, etc. Research will have to be done to see how you can prevent an infestation from occurring inside your home now.

Good luck!

I think this is a question you need to ask the doctor and pharmacist. I've read how awful scabies can be and difficult to eradicate so if it were me I'd try to follow the recommended procedure.