Views: 1,826 | Downloads:
35
| Responses: 0
| XML | Respond to this article | Alert & updates | Request permissions | Email to a friend |
Original ArticleOpen Access
A Comparative Study between 10 Per Cent Sulfur Ointment and 0.3 Per Cent Gamma Benzene Hexachloride Gel in the Treatment of Scabies in Children
Singalavanija S 
,
Limpongsanurak W ,
Soponsakunkul S
,
Limpongsanurak W ,
Soponsakunkul S SRISUPALAK SIN GALA V ANIJA, MD*,
WANIDA LIMPONGSANURAK, MD*,
SIRITORN SOPONSAKUNKUL, MD*
Background : Scabies is a common contagious skin disease in children. Treatment of scabies
in infants and children is the subject of worldwide concern because of risk and benefit of the variety
of scabicides.
Objective : To compare the efficacy of 10 per cent sulfur ointment and 0.3 per cent gamma
benzene hexachloride gel for the treatment of scabies in children.
Method : A randomized investigator blind study was conducted to compare the efficacy of
10 per cent sulfur ointment and 0.3 per cent gamma benzene hexachloride (GBH) for the treatment of
scabies in children at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health from December 1999 to May
2000. Diagnosis was made by the clinical signs of excoriated papules in the classic distribution with
nocturnal pruritus and family history of similar symptoms. Diagnosis for all patients was confirmed
by positive skin scrapings for eggs, larva, mites or fecal pellets by light microscopy. Patients were
followed-up at intervals of 2 and 4 weeks.
Results : One hundred children with an age range from 6 months to 13 years were randomized
into 2 groups, 10 per cent sulfur group (50 cases) and 0.3 per cent GBH (50 cases). Age, sex, history of
contact cases and clinical manifestations were not statistically different between the two groups. After
4 weeks of treatment, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in patients assessed
cured (92%
vs
94%), clinical cure (92%
vs
91%) and parasitic cure (83%
vs
84%). The adverse effect
of foul odor in the sulfur group was more common than in the GBH group (p
<
0.05).
Conclusion : 10 per cent sulfur ointment is as safe and efficacious as 0.3 per cent GBH for
the treatment of scabies in children.
Key word : Sulfur Ointment, Gamma Benzene Hexachloride, Scabies in Children
WANIDA LIMPONGSANURAK, MD*,
SIRITORN SOPONSAKUNKUL, MD*
Background : Scabies is a common contagious skin disease in children. Treatment of scabies
in infants and children is the subject of worldwide concern because of risk and benefit of the variety
of scabicides.
Objective : To compare the efficacy of 10 per cent sulfur ointment and 0.3 per cent gamma
benzene hexachloride gel for the treatment of scabies in children.
Method : A randomized investigator blind study was conducted to compare the efficacy of
10 per cent sulfur ointment and 0.3 per cent gamma benzene hexachloride (GBH) for the treatment of
scabies in children at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health from December 1999 to May
2000. Diagnosis was made by the clinical signs of excoriated papules in the classic distribution with
nocturnal pruritus and family history of similar symptoms. Diagnosis for all patients was confirmed
by positive skin scrapings for eggs, larva, mites or fecal pellets by light microscopy. Patients were
followed-up at intervals of 2 and 4 weeks.
Results : One hundred children with an age range from 6 months to 13 years were randomized
into 2 groups, 10 per cent sulfur group (50 cases) and 0.3 per cent GBH (50 cases). Age, sex, history of
contact cases and clinical manifestations were not statistically different between the two groups. After
4 weeks of treatment, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in patients assessed
cured (92%
vs
94%), clinical cure (92%
vs
91%) and parasitic cure (83%
vs
84%). The adverse effect
of foul odor in the sulfur group was more common than in the GBH group (p
<
0.05).
Conclusion : 10 per cent sulfur ointment is as safe and efficacious as 0.3 per cent GBH for
the treatment of scabies in children.
Key word : Sulfur Ointment, Gamma Benzene Hexachloride, Scabies in Children
Download:
PDF