HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Concerned about cancer from use of permethrin cream 5%. please advise how high of cancer risk this causes. used for possible scabies infestation.

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. James Blachly answered

Specializes in Medical Oncology

Unlikely: Topical permethrin has a theoretical risk but no definitive studies link it to cancer. The US FDA has determined that it could cause cancer if EATEN, based on what we know about similar chemicals. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html#cancer As with all chemicals of unknown cancer potential, limit exposure.

Answered 12/18/2015

1.8k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

I have been using scabies cream for 1 week now but it's only getting worse i have been applying 5% permethrin cream every day please help.

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

If 5% permethrin cream has not worked 4x/6 wks, what is the next step to get rid of possible scabies. Env & fam treated. Treatment was done correctly.

5 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

A member asked:

Is it normal that after putting on nix 5% permethrin cream to kill scabies mites, I have more bumps next morning and it didn't itch this bad before?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I went to visit a friend and she had had scabies, she treated it with the permethrin cream.she just spot treated. I hugged her twice should i worry?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Can we apply permethrin cream on the head of the penis when we have scabies on the head of the penis too.

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

I have recently been diagnosed of having scabies. I used one application of permetherin 5% cream. Will it cause cancer?
Can applying permethrin cream 5% on your face with acne cause anything such as scarring or make acne worse? I left in on for around 6 hours and regretted it, as I dont have any scabies?
I applied permethrin cream 5% on my face with acne. I left it on for around 6 hours. I regret doing so as I dont have any scabies. Im concerned for my acne and wonder if it could have affected it in any way. Should I be concerned?
My son has scabies. Now i'm itchy. I'm 12weeks pregnant. Is it safe to use his permethrin 5% external cream?
I had scabies. I used many times permethrin cream and lindane lotion. Now i don't feel ithing just i feel they crawing in my body.Is it normal?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.