Treatment of Scabies: Use of Sulphur Lather Tablets

Abstract

Second of 4 articles on scabies in this issue. The treatment was first used in the U.S. by R. A. Nolan (Arch. Derm. Syph. 36: 846, 1937). It consists of 18% sulfur incorporated in a bland soap, applied to the body in a lather which dries and forms a thin film over the skin. Nolan estimated that only 4 grams of the soap were required to cover the entire body with a film of sulfur vs. 85 g. of sulfur ointment. Advantages are cheapness; less messy than ointment; and the small quantity needed is less likely to cause sulfur dermatitis. Applied after a bath to 29 school children all were cured after an av. of 3 applications in 4 days. Objections to other common treatments are: Ointments, such as Ung. sulf., benzyl benzoate cream, Ung. Pot. Polysulf. or Kathiolan are all greasy, soil clothing and are messy. Benzyl benz. (cream or lotion) frequently causes a burning sensation or actual dermatitis and is too painful if there are skin sores or lesions. Na thiosulfate 25% with HC1 5% and rotenone lotion (derris) were not tried. Cf. ibid 1941 (4190): 624. The derris root treatment of scabies. 16 references.