A Family Based Study of the Treatment of Scabies with Benzyl Benzoate and Sulphur Ointment

Abstract

A house-to-house survey was done to examine 1727 persons for scabies in an entire semi-urban area. All the 158 scabies positive persons were randomly divided into two groups. One group was treated with benzyl benzoate and the other with sulphur ointment. Scabies lesions were observed mainly on the upper extremities and especially in the interdigital spaces, wrists and elbows. In children, the lesions $iere relatively more uniformly distributed on the body as compared to adults. Lesions cleared faster with benzyl benzoate than with sulphur ointment in patients with scabies lesions alone. In those with complication of secondary infection, clearance of lesions was faster with sulphur ointment. However, for all patients with or without secondary infection, benzyl benzoate was found to be a better drug than sulphur ointment. Recurrence of scabies after six months was also found to he less among patients treated with benzyl benzoate than among those treated with sulphur ointment.