Comparing the Effectiveness of Individual vs. Household Treatment for Scabies in Lambaréné, Gabon

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effectiveness of Individual vs. Household Treatment for Scabies in Lambaréné, Gabon

It is unclear whether individual treatment of scabies is similarly effective compared to household treatment. This study therefore compares these two treatment strategies with topical benzyl benzoate for treating scabies in Lambaréné and surroundings in Gabon.

Subjects presenting with uncomplicated scabies are randomized into either the Individual Treatment group, where only the affected subjects receive treatment, or the Household Treatment group, where all family members are treated in parallel to the affected subjects regardless of signs and symptoms. The primary endpoint is clinical cure after 28 days; the secondary endpoint is the proportion of affected household members per household after 28 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed with active, uncomplicated scabies
• no known hypersensitivity or allergy against benzyl benzoate

Exclusion Criteria:

• hypersensitivity or allergy against benzyl benzoate
• severe superinfection of scabies lesions