Lyclear cream is used to treat infestations of crab lice and scabies on the body. Designed to be used on the skin, this treatment shouldn’t be used internally or on broken skin.

Lyclear dermal cream contains the active ingredient permethrin which kills mites and lice. When the scabies mites or genital lice are dead, the other symptoms such as itching and rash will also clear up.

Ingredients

The active ingredient is Permethrin (5% w/w).

Also contains 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.

Usage and Instructions

Always use Lyclear as directed by your doctor or pharmacist and read the patient information leaflet fully before applying this cream.

Children aged 23 months and below should only be treated with Lyclear on the advice of a doctor.

Directions for use to treat scabies: This treatment is applied to the whole body from the neck down, including the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. For children and the elderly, the cream should also be applied to the face (carefully avoiding the eye and mouth area), ears and scalp.

Don't forget to apply it in between the fingers and toes, the wrists, elbows, armpits, external genitalia and the buttocks.

Make sure the cream is on the skin for at least 8 hours, then take a shower to wash it off. Ideally, apply the cream before going to bed and then take a shower first thing in the morning. If you take a hot shower before applying the cream, let the skin cool first.

The amount of permethrin cream shown below is a guide, so it’s fine to use more if you require it in order to cover your whole body.

How much to use:

For adults and children over the age of 12, apply up to 30g of cream (one whole 30g tube)
For children aged 6-12 years, apply up to 15g of cream (half of a 30g tube)
For children aged 2 months-5 years, apply up to 7.5g of cream (one quarter of a 30g tube)

Directions for use to treat crab lice in adults:

Enough cream should be applied to cover the pubic area, around the anus, inner thighs down to the knees and any hair that grows up from the pubic area to the chest/stomach.

Leave on the skin for 24 hours and then washe thoroughly.

Check facial hair (beards, mustaches) and eyelashes for the presence of live lice and eggs. The cream should be applied to any facial hair (avoiding the eyes). If live lice or eggs are found on the eyelashes you can carefully remove them withtweezers. Avoid the eyelashes.

Warnings

Avoid contact with the eyes.
In the event of eye contamination, rinse with water immediately.
Ensure the skin is clean, dry and cool.
Do not take a hot bath immediately before treatment.
You should make sure that you carefully read all product packaging and labels prior to use

Treatment of scabies may result in continued or increased irritation for a short while. This may show as redness of the skin, a rash or itching.

Also, you might find that the itching you have been experiencing continues for up to 4 weeks after the treatment with Lyclear Dermal Cream. This is normal and is caused by an allergic reaction to the dead scabies mites. It is not a sign that the treatment has failed.

The cream contains liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin, which can reduce the functioning of latex products (e.g. condoms, diaphragms) used at the same time.

Finally, because it contains paraffin, this product is flammable, so do not smoke or go near naked flames after applying it.

There are very limited studies on the safety of using permethrin during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although it seems that the absorption of the cream is minimal, there is not enough data.

Side Effects

Like all medicines, Lyclear Dermal Cream can have side effects, although these are rare and usually mild. Occasionally burning or stinging of the skin occurs, but it is usually slight and passes quickly.

If you notice any side effects not mentioned in the leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.