Use of ivermectin for the management of scabies in a nursing home.

Ivermectin was used for the treatment of a scabies outbreak in a nursing home. Among the 128 residents, 42 presented pruritus or cutaneous lesions and scabies was parasitologically demonstrated in seven patients. All residents were treated with two 12 mg doses of ivermectin given two weeks apart. Ivermectin treatment associated with procedures for environmental disinfection led to the control of the outbreak. In only one case, was there a failure of the treatment. It is concluded that oral ivermectin is an effective and practical therapy for scabies in nursing homes.