Sulfur Ointment (Precipitated Sulfur) 5% to 10%
Examples
| Sulfur ointment (precipitated sulfur) 5% to 10% |
Sulfur is used for several conditions and comes in
ointment, cream, lotion, and soap. Sulfur in ointment is the formulation used
for scabies and seborrheic dermatitis.
How It Works
Sulfur may kill adult
scabies mites.
The medicine will come
with instructions. And your doctor will also give you a treatment schedule.
These
instructions for using scabies medicines are a general
guide for using scabies creams or ointments.
If sulfur is
recommended for treating lice, talk to your doctor about how to use it.
Why It Is Used
Sulfur is used primarily to treat
scabies in infants younger than 2 months, pregnant women, and breast-feeding
mothers.1 In general, it is used only when permethrin
or other medicine cannot be used.
Sulfur is sometimes used to
treat
lice on very small infants, pregnant women, and
nursing women, because it may be safer to use than other medicines.
How Well It Works
Precipitated sulfur is considered a
safe treatment for scabies.1 There is not clear evidence from studies showing how well it works. But it sometimes cures scabies, especially Norwegian scabies.
Side Effects
Precipitated sulfur is thought to be very
safe. It may dry the skin.
See Drug Reference for a full list of
side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Precipitated sulfur does not cost
much. But is very messy, stains clothing and bedding, and has a bad
odor.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
-
Stone SP, et al. (2008). Scabies, other mites, and
pediculosis. In K Wolff et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2029–2037. New York:
McGraw-Hill Medical.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
|
Last Revised
|
March 14, 2011 |
Last Revised:
March 14, 2011
Stone SP, et al. (2008). Scabies, other mites, and
pediculosis. In K Wolff et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2029–2037. New York:
McGraw-Hill Medical.
