Print Print
CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.

Scabies - Management
Malathion aqueous lotion

Age from 2 to 5 months
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid (2 months to 5 months)
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid
Apply to the whole body, including the scalp, face, neck, and ears. Leave on for 24 hours. Wash off. Repeat after 7 days.
Supply 100 ml.
Age: from 2 months to 5 months
NHS cost: £5.70
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: ALL members of your household and close contacts MUST be treated at the same time Apply to entire skin surface, including the scalp, face, neck, and ears, and especially between the fingers and toes and under the nails. You will not need to use the whole contents of a bottle to cover the skin surface of a small child - as a guide, 100ml is about enough to cover the entire skin surface of an adult. It is important that the liquid remains in contact with the skin for the whole minimum treatment time of 24 hours. If any part of the body is washed during that time the liquid must be reapplied to that part.
Age from 6 months to 1 year 11 months
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid (6 months to 1 year 11 months)
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid
Apply to the whole body, including the scalp, face, neck, and ears. Leave on for 24 hours. Wash off. Repeat after 7 days.
Supply 100 ml.
Age: from 6 months to 1 year 11 months
NHS cost: £5.70
OTC cost: £9.99
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: ALL members of your household and close contacts MUST be treated at the same time Apply to entire skin surface, including the scalp, face, neck, and ears, and especially between the fingers and toes and under the nails. You will not need to use the whole contents of a bottle to cover the skin surface of a small child - as a guide, 100ml is about enough to cover the entire skin surface of an adult. It is important that the liquid remains in contact with the skin for the whole minimum treatment time of 24 hours. If any part of the body is washed during that time the liquid must be reapplied to that part.
Age from 2 years to 11 years 11 months
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid (2 years to 11 years 11 months)
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid
Apply to the whole body from the chin and ears downwards. Leave on for 24 hours. Wash off. repeat after 7 days.
Supply 200 ml.
Age: from 2 years to 11 years 11 months
NHS cost: £11.40
OTC cost: £19.90
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: ALL members of your household and close contacts MUST be treated at the same time Apply the treatment to the whole body from the chin and ears downwards. Pay special attention to the fingers and toes and under the nails. You will not need to use the whole contents of a bottle to cover the skin surface of a small child - as a guide, 100ml is about enough to cover the entire skin surface of an adult. It is important that the liquid remains in contact with the skin for the whole minimum treatment time of 24 hours. If any part of the body is washed during that time the liquid must be reapplied to that part.
Age from 12 to 60 years
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid) (12 years to 60 years)
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid
Apply to the whole body from the chin and ears downwards. Leave on for 24 hours. Wash off. repeat after 7 days.
Supply 200 ml.
Age: from 12 years to 60 years
NHS cost: £11.40
OTC cost: £19.90
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: ALL members of your household and close contacts MUST be treated at the same time Apply the treatment to the whole body from the chin and ears downwards. Pay special attention to the fingers and toes and under the nails. You will not need to use the whole contents of a bottle to cover the skin surface of a small child - as a guide, 100ml is about enough to cover the entire skin surface of an adult. It is important that the liquid remains in contact with the skin for the whole minimum treatment time of 24 hours. If any part of the body is washed during that time the liquid must be reapplied to that part.
Age from 12 years onwards
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid (immunocompromised or elderly)
Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid
Apply to the whole body, including the scalp, face, neck, and ears. Leave on for 24 hours. Wash off. Repeat after 7 days.
Supply 200 ml.
Age: from 12 years onwards
NHS cost: £11.40
OTC cost: £19.90
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: ALL members of your household and close contacts MUST be treated at the same time. Apply to entire skin surface, including the scalp, face, neck, and ears, and especially between the fingers and toes and under the nails. You will not need to use the whole contents of a bottle to cover the skin surface of a small child - as a guide, 100ml is about enough to cover the entire skin surface of an adult. It is important that the liquid remains in contact with the skin for the whole minimum treatment time of 24 hours. If any part of the body is washed during that time the liquid must be reapplied to that part.

© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement