Journal of
eISSN: 2475-5540
Submit manuscript...
Research Note Volume 10 Issue 1
Soufre vaseline preparation for the local treatment of scabies
Mustafa Pehlivan
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Yeditepe University, Cyprus
Correspondence: Mustafa Pehlivan, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Yeditepe University, Cyprus
Received: June 20, 2025 | Published: July 22, 2025
Citation: Pehlivan M. Soufre vaseline preparation for the local treatment of scabies. J Stem Cell Res Ther. 2025;10(1):161-162. DOI: 10.15406/jsrt.2025.10.00200
Abstract
Scabies is a skin condition that may cause itching and rash caused by parasites. It is spread by direct skin to skin contact. It may cause serious skin problems and bloodstream, heart disease and kidney damage according to World Health Organization (WHO) key facts for scabies. This short article aims to introduce a simple formulation that forms the basis of possible other formulations of Soufre Vaselin preparations for possible topical applications on the affected skin parts for the treatment of scabies.
Keywords: scabies, sulphur ointment, topical treatment, ivermectin, antihistamines, skin parasitic infection, topical scabicide, itching and rash
Introduction
Permetrin and Ivermectin are used for the treatment of scabies as creams, lotions and tablets for the treatment of scabies. Topical 1% Ivermectin was found to have almost the same potency with that of 5% Permetrin.1,2 Alternative treatments or treatments in combination with local creams and lotions include antihistaminic drugs such as Cetirizine and Fexofenadine.3,4 In some cases, scabies can also be sexually transmitted.5
Materials and methods
Precaution should be made by wearing mask and safety googles during heating and mixing because heating a mixture containing Sulphur is toxic and cause carcinogenic gases.
Procedure
12% Soufre (Sulphur) precipitate was prepared by formulation of a mixture of Sulphur and white vaselin. Extemporaneous Preparation was prepared as follows.
12 grams of Sulphur were weighed in a weighing boat by using an electronic balance. 88 grams of vaseline were weighed in a large weighing boat and the two ingredients were mixed in a pestle which was placed inside a steel container containing a hot water bath around 65 to 70 degrees celcius for 45 minutes. Continous stirring by using a spatula from time to time and dissolving Sulhur powders were ensured during heating and mixing. Attention is necessary when removing the pestle from the heater by wearing heat proof gloves as it is too hot even after allowing it to slightly cool down for few minutes. The homogenous mixture is then poured into a container, spreaded into the container and mixed. The cream is kept at room temperature (Figure 1).
Figure 1 Cream kept at room temperature.
Discussion
Ivermectin works by paralyzing the parasites by inactivating “their guts’’.6 In addition, Permethrin is found to have inhibited glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCls) specifically and therefore the enzymatic activity of parasites and kill them.7 The mode of actions of these drugs are clinically proven in effectiveness however, the advantages of topical and extemporaneously prepared formulations such as Soufre Vaselin as defined in this article would be successful topical treatment options that provides quick relief for the treatment of scabies in general.
Conclusion
Although Ivermectin and Permethrin are effective in relief of the symptoms of scabies according to the clinical trials, the defined formulation is also an appropriate formulation that is effective in killing local microorganisms that cause scabies and their eggs. This is mainly because Sulphur is electronegative and is antibacterial and antimicrobial substance as an element alone due to its anionic electronegative charge. The defined Soufre vaselin formulation is therefore effective as a locally applied treatment option as per the prescription of Medical Doctors and it has been applied in practice for Medicinal uses and positive treating outcomes have been obtained based on confirmation of the patients.
The symptomatic suffering of patients from Scabies can be relieved or totally cured by combination therapies as defined or prescribed by Doctors by combined administration of Ivermectin and Permethrin.8-11 Also in certain studies, it has been found that the combined therapy of oral ivermectin and topical permethrin is more effective than a single drug administered alone.12
Acknowledgments
None.
Conflicts of interest
The author declares that there are no conflicts of interest.
References
- Scabies key facts. 2023.
- Saeed A, Tariq S, Iqbal M, et al. Study comparing topical ivermectin versus topical permethrin in the treatment of Cureus. 2023;15(11):e48746.
- Sfia M, Dhaoui MA, Jaber K, et al. Scabies associated with dermatophyte infection. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2007;134:794–795.
- Uyuz (Scabies). Child Adult Diseases.
- Workowski KA, Bolan GA. Centers for disease control and prevention (CDCP). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. Recommend Rep. 2015;64(RR3);1–137.
- Drugs. 2025.
- Kaur B, Blavo C, Parmar MS. Ivermectin: a multifaceted drug with a potential beyond anti-parasitic therapy. Cureus. 202412;16(3):e56025.
- Pediatric Oncall Child Health Care.
- Combine permethrin and check alternative if therapy fails. Medizine.
- Eliza F, Listiawan MY, Sawitri, et al. Efficacy of combination therapy 5% permethrin cream and precipitated sulfur (ointment 2-4) compared with single therapy of 5% permethrin cream in children. 2024;13(1):918–923.
- Therapy for scabies with two differently concentrated permethrin creams (SKABUP). 2024.
- Goraya SI, Aamir S, Bajwa BJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of oral ivermectin combined with topical permethrin in treatment of scabies. Professional Med J. 2023;30(08):1037–1043.
©2025 Pehlivan. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.