Background: Scabies is an ectoparasitic disease which is one of the most common skin diseases in our country. It is highly contagious and prevalence of scabies is more common in congested or densely populated area like slum area. Individual with close contact with scabies should be treated with scabicidal. Oral treatment is more convenient and cost effective than topical treatment. In this study we will evaluate efficacy and safety of oral Ivermectin and topical Permethrin in the treatment of scabies. 

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral Ivermectin and topical permethrin in the treatment of scabies. 

Methods: A prospective, non-randomized, clinical trial was carried out in the outpatient department of Dermatology & Venereology, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka from August 2016 to January,2017. Hundred patients of scabies were enrolled according to inclusion criteria. They were divided into group A and group B. Oral Ivermectin were given to group A in a single dose of 200µg/kg body weight. Group B were given single application of topical Permethrin 5% cream at night on whole body for 12 hours. Patient were followed up on day 7, 14 and assessed for the efficacy and safety. 

Results: The mean scoring with SD in group A and group B were 8.26 ± 2.22 and 7.59 ± 2.01minutes respectively at the time of observation. The difference between the mean score of the two group is not significant (p=0.117). The mean scoring with SD in group A and group B were 4.54 ± 2.05 and 1.64 ± 1.84 minutes respectively at 7th days. The difference between the mean score of the two group is significant (p<0.001).

Conclusion: In this study, both Ivermectin and topical permethrin showed clinical improvement but administration of single application of topical Permethrin was an effective and safe treatment for the treatment of scabies. Treatment with Permethrin has the benefits of rapid resolution of skin lesions and itching compared to oral Ivermectin.