Pruritus (itching) is a common symptom of many skin disorders as well as of several systemic diseases and may be extremely distressing. However, contact with certain substances, conditions that dry the skin, stress, and extremes of temperature may also be a cause. Thus, an important part of treatment is to eliminate or minimize the reason for the irritation.

Preparations containing crotamiton are used as an antipruritic agent. One application may be effective for 6 to 10 hour.

Preparations containing calamine are often ineffective.

Calamine

Lotion (oily), 5 %

Indications: mild pruritus

Dose and Administrations: -Topically. Apply liberally 3 - 4 time daily

Calamine + Zinc Oxide

Cream, 4 % + 3 %
Lotion, 15 % + 5 %

Indications: - mild pruritus

Dose and Administrations: -Topically, Apply liberally 3 - 4 times daily

Crotamiton

Lotion, 10 %

Indications: - crotamiton is used for the topical treatment of scabies & pruritus.

Cautions: - crotamiton should not be applied to acutely inflamed skin or raw, weeping surfaces. If primary irritation or hypersensitivity occurs, treatment should be discontinued and the drug should be removed with soap and water. Crotamiton should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed. Contact with the face, eyes, mucous membranes and urethral meatus should be avoided.

Side effects: -slight local irritation, allergic skin sensitivity may occur with prolonged use

Contraindications: -history of sensitivity or allergy to the drug and in those who exhibit a primary irritation response to topically applied medications. Acute exudative dermatoses

Dose and Administration:

- Crotamiton, in the form of a 10 % lotion is applied topically. The drug should not be administered orally

- A thin layer of the 10 % lotion should be applied uniformly and massaged gently into all skin surfaces from the neck to the toes. A second coat of the lotion should be applied after 24 hours.

In adults, 30 g of the lotion for one application; a proportionately smaller amount is used in children. Treatment may be repeated after 7 - 10 days if mites appear or new lesions develop. The patient should bath 48 hours after the last application to remove the drug.

Note - Before applying crotamiton, advice the patient to bath with soap and water, taking cares to scrub and remove scaling or crusted detritus, then towel dry.

Storage: - It should be stored in tight, light resistant containers at a room temperature.