Permethrin is a topical medication applied directly to the skin to treat scabies. It works by killing the scabies mites and their eggs. It comes as a cream that is spread over the entire body and left on for a specific period before washing off.

Ivermectin is an oral medication taken by mouth to treat scabies and other parasitic infections. It works by paralyzing and killing the parasites. The medication is typically taken as tablets with water.

The trial also studies a combination therapy using both Permethrin cream applied to the skin and Ivermectin tablets taken by mouth at the same time. This combination approach aims to attack the scabies mites both from the outside (through the skin) and from inside the body.

Scabies – A highly contagious skin infestation caused by microscopic mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) that burrow into the upper layers of skin. The condition typically causes intense itching that gets worse at night, and is characterized by thin, irregular burrow tracks made up of tiny blisters or bumps on the skin. The mites prefer warm areas of the body such as between fingers, skin folds, and under arms. Common signs include a rash that appears as small red bumps, often arranged in lines or tracks. The condition spreads easily through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Symptoms usually begin between two to six weeks after the initial exposure in people who have never had scabies before.