What is Lyclear Dermal Cream?
Lyclear Dermal Cream is a topical treatment used to treat infestations of scabies and crab lice (also known as pubic lice). It contains the active ingredient permethrin (5% w/w), a synthetic insecticide belonging to a group of medicines called pyrethroids. Permethrin works by affecting the nervous system of the mites and lice, causing them to become paralysed and die.
Lyclear is the branded version of permethrin 5% cream. It is available from pharmacies and can be purchased online from Pharmica with fast, discreet delivery.
What is Lyclear Dermal Cream (permethrin) cream used for?
Lyclear Dermal Cream (permethrin) is used to treat two main conditions:
- Scabies: A contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) that burrow into the skin, causing intense itching and a raised rash. The rash often appears between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, armpits and around the waist, though it can affect most areas of the body.
- Crab lice (pubic lice): Small parasitic insects that are usually found in pubic hair, though they can also be found on other coarse body hair. Symptoms include itching, inflammation and small blue spots or specks of blood on the skin caused by lice bites.
Lyclear: Our Pharmacist's Advice
"One of the most common concerns we hear from customers who have used Lyclear is that the itching continues after treatment. This is entirely normal and can last for up to four weeks. It does not mean the treatment has not worked. The itching is caused by your body's immune response to the remains of the dead mites in the skin, not by an active infestation.
It is also important that everyone in the household is treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms, as scabies can take several weeks to become noticeable after initial contact. Wash all bedding and towels at 60°C on the day of treatment and avoid close skin-to-skin contact until treatment is complete."
How to apply Lyclear Dermal Cream
Apply a thin layer of Lyclear cream to clean, dry, cool skin. Do not apply the cream immediately after a hot bath or shower, as warm skin may increase absorption and the risk of irritation. The cream should be applied to the entire body from the neck down, paying particular attention to areas where mites are commonly found, such as between the fingers and toes, the wrists, elbows, armpits, around the waist and the genital area.
Leave the cream on the skin for at least 8 hours (for example, overnight), then wash it off thoroughly with soap and water. If you wash your hands during the treatment period, reapply the cream to your hands afterwards.
How long does Lyclear take to work?
Lyclear begins to work on contact with the mites. One application is usually sufficient to treat a scabies infestation, though a second application after 7 to 14 days may be recommended if live mites are still present. It is important to note that itching may continue for up to four weeks after treatment, even when the mites have been successfully eliminated. This is caused by the body's ongoing allergic reaction to the dead mites and eggs remaining in the skin, and does not necessarily indicate that the treatment has not worked.
If you are concerned that the treatment has not been successful, or if new burrows appear after treatment, consult your pharmacist or GP for advice.
Does Lyclear kill scabies eggs?
Yes. Permethrin, the active ingredient in Lyclear, targets both the adult scabies mites and their eggs. This is one of the reasons why a single application is often sufficient to treat an infestation. However, because newly hatched mites may not always be reached by a single treatment, a second application after 7 to 14 days is sometimes recommended as a precaution.
How to stop scabies spreading during treatment
Scabies is highly contagious and spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact. To help prevent reinfestation and reduce the risk of spreading the mites to others during treatment:
- Wash all bedding, towels and clothing at 60°C or higher on the first day of treatment. If possible, tumble dry items on a hot setting.
- Place items that cannot be washed into a sealed plastic bag for at least 72 hours (3 days) to allow the mites to die.
- Avoid close physical contact, including sexual contact, until the full course of treatment has been completed.
- All household members and close contacts should be treated at the same time, even if they do not currently have symptoms, as scabies can take up to 8 weeks to cause symptoms after initial exposure.
Can I buy Lyclear over the counter?
Lyclear Dermal Cream (permethrin 5%) is classified as a pharmacy (P) medicine in the UK. This means it can be purchased from a pharmacy without a prescription, but you will need to consult with a pharmacist to ensure it is suitable for you. You can also buy Lyclear online from Pharmica after completing a short questionnaire, where our pharmacy team will review your order before dispatching it.
What are the side effects of Lyclear?
As with all medicines, Lyclear may cause side effects in some people, though not everyone will experience them. Common side effects include a tingling, prickling or burning sensation on the skin, temporary redness and mild itching at the application site. These effects are usually mild and tend to resolve within 24 hours.
Itching may persist for up to four weeks after treatment. This is a normal response to the dead mites and does not indicate that the infestation is still active. If itching is bothersome, an antihistamine tablet or a soothing moisturiser may help to provide relief.
Do not use corticosteroid creams or ointments during treatment with Lyclear, as these can reduce the body's immune response and may worsen the infestation.
What is post-scabies syndrome?
Post-scabies syndrome refers to the continuation of itching and skin irritation after scabies treatment has been completed and the mites have been eliminated. It is caused by the body's immune reaction to the remains of dead mites and their waste products within the skin, and can last for several weeks. This is a common occurrence and does not mean that the treatment has failed or that reinfestation has occurred.
To help manage post-scabies itching, your pharmacist may recommend an emollient moisturiser, a mild anti-itch cream or an oral antihistamine. If symptoms persist beyond four weeks, consult your GP to rule out reinfestation or other skin conditions.
Ingredients
- The active ingredient is permethrin (5% w/w).
- Other ingredients: 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.