Itching that wonât quit-especially at night-can make sleep impossible and daily life a struggle. If youâve been prescribed Eurax Lotion (Crotamiton) for scabies or persistent itching, youâre not alone. But you might be wondering: is this the best option? Are there cheaper, faster, or more effective alternatives? The truth is, Eurax isnât the only tool in the box. Some people find relief with over-the-counter creams. Others need prescription-grade treatments. And a few find that what worked for their friend didnât work for them at all.
What Eurax Lotion (Crotamiton) Actually Does
Eurax Lotion contains crotamiton, a topical medication approved for treating scabies and relieving itching from skin conditions like eczema or insect bites. It works in two ways: it kills the scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) and blocks nerve signals that cause itching. The mite burrows under the skin, lays eggs, and triggers an allergic reaction. Thatâs what makes the itch so intense and persistent.
When used correctly, Eurax is applied to the entire body from the neck down, left on for 24 hours, then washed off. A second application is often needed after a week. Itâs not a cure-all. Studies show about 60-70% of users see full clearance after two applications. But it doesnât work for everyone. Some report mild stinging, redness, or even worsening itch at first. Thatâs not uncommon with scabies treatments-your skin is reacting to dead mites and their waste.
Why People Look for Alternatives
There are three big reasons people switch from Eurax:
- It doesnât work-after two full applications, the itch returns.
- Itâs expensive-in the UK, a 100ml bottle can cost ÂŁ25-ÂŁ35 without a prescription.
- Itâs messy-applying it all over your body, then waiting 24 hours without showering, is inconvenient.
People also worry about side effects, especially with children or pregnant women. Eurax isnât recommended for kids under 3, and thereâs limited safety data for pregnancy. That pushes many toward alternatives that are better studied or more widely available.
Permethrin Cream (5%) - The Gold Standard
If youâre looking for the most effective treatment for scabies, permethrin cream (5%) is what doctors recommend first. Itâs a synthetic pyrethroid that paralyzes and kills scabies mites. Unlike crotamiton, permethrin has been studied in over 100 clinical trials. Success rates? Around 90% after one application.
Hereâs how it stacks up:
| Feature | Eurax Lotion (Crotamiton) | Permethrin Cream (5%) |
|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness against scabies | 60-70% | 85-95% |
| Number of applications needed | 2 (24 hours apart) | 1-2 (7-day gap) |
| Time to relieve itching | 2-5 days | 1-3 days |
| Safe for children under 2 | No | Yes |
| Safe during pregnancy | Unclear | Yes (Category B) |
| Cost (UK, 100ml) | ÂŁ25-ÂŁ35 | ÂŁ10-ÂŁ18 |
| Available over-the-counter? | No | No (prescription only) |
Permethrin is available on NHS prescription and is often the first-line treatment in UK clinics. Itâs also used in nursing homes and schools during outbreaks because itâs more reliable. If youâve tried Eurax and it didnât work, permethrin is your next logical step.
Ivermectin - The Oral Option
For people who canât apply creams-like those with severe eczema, burns, or limited mobility-or for cases that donât respond to topical treatments, oral ivermectin is a game-changer. Itâs an antiparasitic drug originally used for river blindness and intestinal worms. But itâs now commonly prescribed off-label for scabies.
A single 200mcg/kg dose (based on body weight) taken orally is often enough. Some doctors repeat it after 7-14 days if needed. Studies show it clears scabies in over 90% of cases, even in outbreaks where others fail.
Itâs not available over the counter. You need a prescription. But itâs cheaper than Eurax in the long run-around ÂŁ10-ÂŁ15 per dose. Side effects are rare but can include dizziness, nausea, or mild rash. Itâs not recommended for children under 15kg or pregnant women.
What makes ivermectin stand out? It treats the whole body from the inside. No messy application. No need to avoid showers. If youâve struggled with topical treatments, this might be your best bet.
Over-the-Counter Options - Do They Work?
Many people try OTC creams first: tea tree oil, neem oil, sulfur ointments, or calamine lotion. Some swear by them. But hereâs the reality:
- Tea tree oil has some antiparasitic properties, but no large studies prove it kills scabies mites reliably. It can irritate skin.
- Sulfur ointment (5-10%) is one of the oldest scabies treatments. Itâs safe for babies and pregnant women. But it smells bad, stains clothes, and takes weeks to work. Itâs a fallback option.
- Calamine lotion only soothes itch-it doesnât kill mites.
These arenât replacements for medical treatments. Theyâre comfort aids. If youâre using them because you canât get a prescription, youâre risking the infestation spreading. Scabies doesnât go away on its own. Left untreated, it can last for months and infect everyone in your household.
When Eurax Might Still Be the Right Choice
That said, Eurax isnât useless. There are times it makes sense:
- If youâve had a bad reaction to permethrin (skin burning, swelling).
- If youâre allergic to pyrethroids (found in permethrin and some insect sprays).
- If youâre treating mild itching from eczema or insect bites-not full-blown scabies.
Some dermatologists use Eurax as a second-line option for resistant cases. Itâs also sometimes prescribed for elderly patients who canât tolerate stronger drugs. But donât assume itâs gentler-itch relief is often slower, and failure rates are higher.
What to Do If Eurax Didnât Work
If youâve used Eurax twice and still itch:
- Donât reapply more often. That wonât help-and can irritate your skin.
- Check if everyone in your household was treated. Scabies spreads fast. One untreated person can reinfect the whole house.
- Wash all bedding, towels, and clothes in hot water (60°C) and dry on high heat. Items you canât wash? Seal them in plastic bags for 72 hours. Mites die without human contact.
- See your GP or a dermatologist. Ask for permethrin or ivermectin.
Many people think the itch means the mites are still alive. But after treatment, your body can keep reacting for weeks as it clears dead mites and waste. Thatâs normal. If the itching gets worse after 2 weeks, or if you see new burrows or rashes, you need another treatment.
Bottom Line: What Works Best?
For most people with scabies, permethrin cream is the fastest, most reliable, and most cost-effective choice. If you canât use topical treatments, ivermectin is the next best thing. Eurax has its place-but itâs not the first choice anymore. Itâs more of a backup.
For simple itching from eczema or bug bites, Eurax can help. But for scabies? Donât waste time. Go for the treatments with the strongest evidence. Your skin-and your sleep-will thank you.
Is Eurax Lotion better than permethrin for scabies?
No. Permethrin cream (5%) is more effective, with success rates of 85-95% compared to Euraxâs 60-70%. Permethrin is also safer for children and pregnant women, and itâs usually cheaper. Eurax is only recommended if youâre allergic to permethrin or if permethrin has failed.
Can I buy Eurax Lotion without a prescription in the UK?
No. Eurax Lotion is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. You need a doctorâs prescription to get it from a pharmacy. Over-the-counter products like calamine or tea tree oil wonât kill scabies mites-they only soothe itching.
How long does it take for Eurax to stop the itching?
Itching usually starts to ease within 2-5 days after the first application. But if you still itch after 2 weeks, the treatment may not have worked. Dead mites can cause lingering itch for up to 4 weeks, so donât assume failure too soon. If new bumps or burrows appear, you need another treatment.
Is ivermectin safe for children?
Ivermectin is generally not recommended for children under 15kg (about 33 lbs) or under 5 years old, unless under specialist supervision. For younger kids, permethrin cream is the preferred treatment. Always check with your doctor before giving any oral medication to a child.
Can I use Eurax for eczema itch instead of steroid creams?
Eurax can help relieve itch from eczema, but it doesnât reduce inflammation like steroid creams do. Itâs not a replacement for topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. If your eczema is flaring, use a steroid cream as prescribed. Eurax might help with the itch between flare-ups, but it wonât calm the redness or swelling.
If youâre still unsure, talk to your pharmacist or GP. Bring your Eurax bottle with you. They can tell you if youâre on the right track-or if itâs time to switch.
OMG YES this post is a lifesaver!! đ I tried Eurax for 2 weeks and it did NOTHING, then my dermatologist switched me to permethrin and POOF-itching gone in 48 hours. Also, cheaper?? YES PLEASE. Why do docs even start with Eurax?? đ¤
Just want to add a real-world tip: if youâre using permethrin, donât just apply it and forget. Use a clean toothbrush to gently work it into skin folds-under nails, between fingers, groin area. Mites hide there. Also, everyone in the house needs treatment-even asymptomatic people. I learned this the hard way when my kid got reinfected because my sister didnât treat her whole family.
And yes, ivermectin is a beast for stubborn cases. I had a scabies outbreak at work last year-20 people infected. We did permethrin first, 3 people still itched. Gave them ivermectin. All cleared in 72 hours. No mess, no stress.
Tea tree oil? Cute. But if youâre using it instead of real treatment, youâre just delaying the inevitable. Scabies doesnât care how ânaturalâ your remedy is.
Also, wash everything in 60°C water. Not warm. Not hot. 60°C. Iâve seen people wash at 40°C and wonder why it came back. Mites are tougher than you think.
So let me get this straight-youâre telling me weâve been paying ÂŁ30 for a lotion that works 70% of the time⌠while a $15 cream works 95% of the time and is safer for kids?? And doctors still prescribe Eurax??
Yâall are getting scammed. Not just financially. Emotionally. Sleep-deprived. Iâve seen people cry because they canât stop scratching. And the system gives them Eurax like itâs a consolation prize.
Stop normalizing ineffective treatment. Push for permethrin. Push for ivermectin. Your skin deserves better.
Thank you for this detailed breakdown. As someone from India, Iâve seen many rely on neem oil or turmeric pastes, thinking itâs âtraditionalâ and therefore safer. But scabies doesnât discriminate based on remedies-it only responds to what kills the mite. Iâve advised several family members to go straight to permethrin after Eurax failed, and the difference was night and day. Also, the cost difference in our local pharmacies is even more drastic-permethrin is nearly half the price here too.
Just wish more GPs in our region knew to prioritize it.
u/3504 u/3481 youâre both right!! I used ivermectin after permethrin failed me (yes, it happened) and it was a miracle. No creaming my whole body, no waiting 24 hours, just swallowed a pill and went to sleep. Woke up feeling like a human again đ
But honestly? The worst part wasnât the itch-it was the shame. I felt dirty. Like I failed at hygiene. Took me months to tell anyone. If youâre reading this and youâre struggling-you didnât do anything wrong. Itâs not your fault. Itâs just a bug. And itâs treatable.
Also-wash your pillowcase every 2 days for a week after treatment. I learned that the hard way. đ
Permethrin is the way. I used it last winter. Applied it before bed, slept in old clothes, washed everything next day. Done. No drama. My kid had it too-same treatment. We all slept again. No more scratching at 3am. Life changed.
Also, if youâre worried about cost-ask for samples. Some clinics give them out. Or check with your local health dept. They sometimes have free treatment programs.
Let me just say-Iâve had scabies three times. First time: Eurax. Failed. Second time: permethrin. Worked. Third time: ivermectin. Worked faster than ever. My advice? Skip the middleman. Go straight to permethrin unless youâre allergic. Eurax is like using a sponge to put out a house fire. Itâs not wrong-itâs just not enough.
And yes, the smell of sulfur ointment? Like rotten eggs and regret. Donât do it unless youâre out of options.
My mom used Eurax for her eczema itch and said it helped-but only for a few hours. She thought it was treating the eczema, not just masking the itch. She didnât realize she needed a steroid cream. I wish this post had been around back then.
Side note: if youâre using any topical treatment, avoid hot showers right after. It makes the itch worse. Lukewarm, then pat dry. Moisturize immediately. It makes a difference.
I spent six weeks with this unrelenting, soul-crushing itch. I tried everything: tea tree oil, oatmeal baths, aloe vera, ice packs, antihistamines, even sleeping with gloves on. Nothing worked. I started crying every night because I couldnât sleep. My partner was scared to touch me. I thought I was going crazy.
Then I went to a dermatologist who looked at me like I was a puzzle and said, âYouâve had scabies this whole time?â I said, âBut Iâm clean!â She laughed and said, âScabies doesnât care if you shower daily.â
I got permethrin. One application. Two days later, I slept through the night for the first time in over a month. I cried again-but this time because I was finally free.
If youâre reading this and youâre still suffering-please, donât wait. Donât feel ashamed. Donât try ânaturalâ fixes for weeks. Go to your doctor. Say, âI think I have scabies. Can you give me permethrin?â Youâll thank yourself.
Biggest myth: âItâs just a rash.â No. Itâs a full-blown parasite invasion. Your skin is basically a crime scene. And Eurax? Itâs like showing up with a feather duster. Permethrin? Thatâs the SWAT team. Ivermectin? Thatâs the nuke. Donât waste time. Go hard or go home.
Also-treat your car seats. Your couch. Your dogâs bed. Mites donât care where they hang out. I found one crawling on my steering wheel. Yeah. That happened.
Just want to say thank you for this. Iâve been avoiding the doctor for months because I was embarrassed. But I finally went in and asked for permethrin. They gave it to me without judgment. Iâm not alone. And Iâm healing. Slowly. But healing.
Also-donât feel bad if you used Eurax first. I did too. Itâs not your fault. The systemâs just slow. You did the right thing by seeking info. Thatâs what matters.
One sentence: If you're still itchy after permethrin, get ivermectin. Not another round of cream. Pill. Done.