Lyclear 5% Dermal Cream

What is Lyclear (permethrin)?

Lyclear cream is an effective treatment for infestations of scabies and crab lice on the body. It contains the active ingredient permethrin which paralyses and kills mites and their eggs, offering lasting relief from the itch and irritation of scabies.

Lyclear can be used to treat children and adults from the age of 2 years and so is suitable for the whole family, so you can buy up to six 30g tubes online from The Independent Pharmacy at one time.

For most people, one to two applications 14 days apart is usually sufficient to completely clear them of scabies or crab mites.

Lyclear cream is the branded version of the generic treatment, Permethrin 5% cream.

What is Lyclear used for?

Lyclear cream is used to treat infestations of scabies and crab lice on the body. Killing the eggs and mites themselves.

Scabies and crabs cause intense itching which can lead to irritation and breakdown of the skin. Although Lyclear kills the mites you may still experience some itching for up to 4 weeks after use - this is normal. You can treat the itch with Eurax cream or E45 Itch Relief. If you do not notice improvement after 14 days you may need to do a second application.

How does Lyclear work? Does it kill eggs?

Lyclear contains the active ingredient permethrin which is an insecticide that paralyses mites, killing them and their eggs.

How long does Lyclear take to work?

Once the cream has been applied to the skin and left for 8 hours, preferably overnight, you should notice some reduction in the intensity of the itching. In some cases where the infestation is persistent or there is a renewed infestation, a second application may be needed after 14 days.

If you do not notice significant improvement after the second application you should speak to a pharmacist or doctor for further advice.

Sources

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scabies/
• https://patient.info/medicine/permethrin-cream-lyclear
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pubic-lice/

Lyclear instructions

Lyclear can be purchased for use in children and adults from the age of 2 years for application to the skin only to treat scabies or for over 18 years for crab lice. Please use only as directed in the Patient Information Leaflet contained within the packaging or by your doctor.

Lyclear cream should only be applied to clean, dry, cool skin. You should avoid taking a hot bath or shower immediately before treatment.

When applying Lyclear cream to treat scabies make sure to cover all areas of the skin including palms of hands, soles of feet, armpits, external genitalia, buttocks and under the fingernails. If your face and scalp are not affected this should be the only area the cream is not applied, unless you are a child or an elderly person.

Leave Lyclear Dermal Cream on for at least 8 to 12 hours (usually overnight), and then wash off with water and soap. Re-apply Lyclear Dermal Cream to your hands, if within 8 hours of treatment, they have been washed with water and soap.

Approximately 90% of individuals are cured with a single application of the cream. If necessary, a second application may be given at least 7 days after the initial application, if there are no signs of the original lesions healing or if new lesions are present.

To treat scabies in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age:

Apply the contents of one 30 g tube to the skin on the whole body.

To treat scabies in children 6-12 years old:

Apply half a 30 g tube of Lyclear cream to the skin on the whole body.

Children aged from 2 years - 5 years:

Apply a quarter of a 30 g tube of Lyclear cream to the skin on the whole body including the scalp.

To treat crab lice, Adults, over 18 years of age:

Apply up to 30 g of cream to the whole body, paying particular attention to facial hair. Do not apply to the eyelashes, these lice should be removed using tweezers.

Lyclear ingredients

The active substance in Lyclear cream: Permethrin 5% w/w.

The inactive ingredients in Lyclear cream: Coconut oil, glyceryl monostearate, macrogol cetyl ether, cetomacrogol 1000, isopropyl myristate, lanolin alcohols/liquid paraffin mixture, butylated hydroxytoluene (E321), glycerol, formaldehyde solution, carbomer, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

Please make sure you are aware of all the ingredients in Lyclear cream detailed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Lyclear Cream side effects

Lyclear may cause some people to experience side effects that are usually mild and improve after 8 hours once the application is washed off. If you are worried about side effects or do not think Lyclear has improved your condition speak to a doctor for advice.

Side effects may include:

• Slight stinging or burning of the skin might occur occasionally, but it disappears quickly.
• Irritation may increase or continue for a short period during treatment with signs such as itching, skin redness, or a rash, manifesting.
• Itching of the skin might continue for up to four weeks after treatment with Lyclear Dermal Cream. This is usually a normal process caused by sensitivity to the dead scabies mites.

If you experience any severe side effects or an allergic reaction while using Lyclear you should get immediate medical advice either by calling 999 or attending your nearest emergency department.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet for full details on side effects and how to report new symptoms.

Lyclear Cream warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

• Lyclear contains paraffin, which can be flammable and cause burns Avoid smoking or going near naked flames during use.
• Lyclear in some people may worsen symptoms of asthma or eczema.
• Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before using Lyclear if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines including corticosteroids used to treat skin conditions like eczema.
• Do not contact the eyes with Lyclear Dermal Cream.
• If the eyes get contaminated, immediately rinse them with water.
• Avoid taking a hot bath just before treatment.
• Before application, ensure the skin is clean, dry and cool.
• Permethrin Cream should be applied externally only.
• Nursing staff who apply this cream to patients may wear gloves to avoid irritation of the hands.
• Special care should be taken when applying Lyclear Dermal Cream Permethrin to the elderly.
• Keep out of sight and out of reach of children.

For cutaneous use only. Do not swallow this medicine. Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes (inside the nose or throat, genital region) or open wounds.

Please read all the packaging and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

Lyclear & Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby and think you may have scabies or crab lice you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.