Malathion

Possible side effects include: 

• Unpleasant smell
• Skin irritation 

If any of the side effects do not go away or are serious, please see your doctor.

Rare but serious side effects include:

• Burns
• Symptoms of a drug allergy:
• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
  Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

• ​Do not use more than once a week for three weeks at a time.
• Do not use more than what is recommended by your doctor.
• Do not apply on broken skin.
• If this medication accidentally gets into your eyes, rinse with water thoroughly. If irritation of the eyes persists, see a doctor immediately.
• As this medication is flammable, keep this medication and wet treated hair away from electrical heat sources, cigarettes and open flames.
• To avoid reinfestation and spreading of lice to other people:
• Head-to-head contact during play and other activities should be avoided.
• Do not share combs, brushes, towels and clothing.
• Combs and brushes should be soaked in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
• Wash all bedsheets, pillowcases, recently worn clothing (in the past 2 days before treatment) in hot water and dry under direct sunlight or in a hot cycle dryer. Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in plastic bags for 2 weeks.
• Vacuum the floor and furniture, especially the area where the infested person sat or lay.
• To avoid reinfestation and spreading of mites to other people:
• Avoid direct skin-to-skin contact with an infested person or with items used by an infested person.
• Wash all bedsheets, pillowcases, recently worn clothing (in the past 3 days before treatment) in hot water and dry under direct sunlight or in a hot cycle dryer. Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in plastic bags for at least 3 days to 1 week.
• Inform your healthcare professional if:
• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

​Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

​This medication should be applied on your skin or scalp only. For external use only.

For scabies infestation

• Take a warm bath and dry well, then apply this medication to the skin surface of the whole body from the neck down.
• For children below 2 years old, carefully apply a thin layer of this medication on the scalp, face, neck and ears. Avoid applying near the eyes and mouth.
• Ensure that the medication is also applied on the navel, between the toes and fingers, wrists, armpit area, genital area, buttocks, and any other body creases and folds.
• Leave some of the medication under the fingernails and toenails.
• Rub in well and allow the medication to dry naturally. Do not use a hair dryer to dry the medication as it may reduce the effectiveness of this medication.
• Put on fresh clothing after application.
• Do not bathe or wash the medication away for 24 hours. Reapply if the medication is washed off from the hands or other body parts.
• After 24 hours of application, use soap and water to wash off the medication.

For head lice infestation

• Do not wash hair before using this medication. If your hair has been submerged in a chlorinated pool during the last 3 days, wash and dry your hair thoroughly before starting treatment.
• Apply this medication to dry hair and scalp until they are thoroughly wet, including the back of your ears, head and neck.
• Allow the hair to dry naturally for at least 12 hours.
• Do not use electrical heat sources such as hair dryers to dry the hair as it may reduce the effectiveness of this medication.
• Wash your hands immediately after the application process.
• Wait at least 12 hours after applying the medication before you wash it off with shampoo
• Rinse your hair thoroughly and comb wet hair with a fine-tooth nit comb to remove dead lice and eggs.
• Repeat the use of this medication 7 days later if there are any lice alive after using this medication.

​Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.