Acticin (Permethrin)

Common use

Acticin is a topical cream — meaning you put it on your skin — that kills parasites. It’s used to treat:

Scabies — an infestation caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei that burrow into the skin and cause intense itching. In Cyprus, we might call this psoriasi in the old-school sense, though it’s not to be confused with the skin condition psoriasis.

Head lice — those little pests that can spread quickly, especially among schoolchildren (pedia tou scholiou)

It works by attacking the nervous system of the parasites, putting an end to their party on your skin.

Dosage and direction

Massage the cream into your clean, dry skin — from the head all the way down to the soles of your feet. In infants and elderly people, scabies can also affect the scalp, so don’t forget that area.

For an average adult, 30 grams is usually enough — about the amount in a standard tube. Once you’ve applied it, do not wash it off for 6 to 14 hours. This gives it time to do its job properly.

For infants, make sure to treat the temples, scalp, and forehead as well. Do not apply Acticin to irritated skin, open cuts, or wounds. It’s for external use only — don’t take it by mouth. Be careful to avoid getting it in the nose, mouth, eyes, or genital area. If you still see lice a week after your first application, repeat the treatment.

Precautions

Here’s the thing with parasites — if you treat your body but not your surroundings, they’ll just come back. To prevent reinfestation:

Wash all your clothes, towels, and bed linens in hot water and dry them on high heat

Use a permethrin surface spray on furniture around your house

Treat hats, hairbrushes, pillows, and any personal accessories you’ve been using

If you’re dealing with crabs (pubic lice), avoid sexual contact until everyone involved has been treated — otherwise, you’ll just pass them back and forth.

To stop the infection from spreading, don’t share hairbrushes, combs, hats, bed linens, clothing, or other personal items. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth it to get rid of the problem for good.

Contraindications

Do not use Acticin if you’re allergic to permethrin (the active ingredient) or to chrysanthemums — yes, the flower — because there’s a cross-reactivity. If you’ve had a reaction to either in the past, skip this one.

Do not use the cream while you’re breastfeeding.

Possible side effects

If you have signs of an allergic reaction — such as hives, rash, swelling of the face, itching, redness, difficulty breathing — contact your doctor immediately.

Other possible effects include:

Mild burning, stinging

Numbness or tingling

Most of these are mild and go away on their own, but if they’re severe or don’t settle, let your doctor know.

Drug interaction

Acticin applied to the skin is not likely to interact with other drugs — it stays mostly on the surface and doesn’t get absorbed into your system in large amounts. Still, it’s always a good idea to tell your doctor about all the medications you’re using, just to be safe.

Missed dose

This medication is usually used just once. If you need a second application, wait seven days before repeating — unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Overdose

Symptoms of Acticin overdose aren’t well known — it’s hard to overdose on a cream you put on your skin. But if you suspect someone has swallowed it or used far too much, contact your doctor immediately.

Storage

Store Acticin at room temperature — between 15°C and 30°C — in a dry, tightly closed container, away from moisture and sunlight. Keep it somewhere children can’t reach. And if you have engonakia (grandkids) visiting, make sure it’s well out of their way.

Online Pharmacy Info

Our online pharmacy, cydoctors.com, is based right here in Cyprus. When you’re dealing with scabies or head lice, you want to sort it out fast — no one wants these things hanging around. That’s why we deliver in the shortest time possible. We offer overnight delivery to Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca — so wherever you are on the island, you can get your treatment quickly and without the hassle.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications. This does not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. Information on the site cannot be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your healthcare adviser or the doctor in charge of your case. We do not guarantee the reliability of this information and cannot be held responsible for any errors it may contain. We are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damage resulting from the use of information on this site, nor for the consequences of self-treatment.