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About the Sulfur Treatment for Scabies

Sulfur was one of the earliest treatments used to kill the scabies mite. This treatment still gets used today. It is one of the few over-the-counter medications that a consumer can buy to cure this skin condition.

  1. How the Pastes Work

    • The sulfur pastes work the same way the prescription permethrin creams work: They kill the scabies mite.

    How to Apply

    • Sulfur creams must be applied to the entire body from head to toe before a person goes to bed each night.

    Using Pastes Properly

    • A person should apply a sulfur paste after taking her daily bath or shower. The paste must stay in place for 24 hours to be effective.

    The Rotten Egg Smell

    • Sulfur pastes have an unpleasant smell, but it must be worn most of the day in order for the paste to have its proper effect.

    How Long for a Cure?

    • Sulfur creams must be applied to the skin for at least three days in a row.

    History of Sulfer Pastes

    • Pastes that contain roughly 6 to 10 percent sulfur were used during the time of the Roman Republic as a cure for this condition.

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