γ-Benzene hexachloride induced seizure - A case report

Scabies is an infectious disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. There are three hundred million cases around the world every year. Υ-Benzene hexachloride (Υ-BHC) is a scabicide used to treat the disease. Adverse effects associated with Υ-BHC include dermatitis, numbness, anxiety, tremor, cramps, seizure, aplastic anemia and pancytopenia. Seizure is a serious one among these. We report a 75-year-old woman who suffered from scabies, which was diagnosed one week before this admission and Υ-BHC cream was prescribed. Because of fever and hypotention during hemodialysis, she was admitted and Υ-BHC was used twice during admission. Seizure occurred 4 days after the last use of Υ-BHC. We reviewed the literatures and discussed the predisposing factors and the possible mechanism of T Υ-BHC induced seizure. The correct method of using Υ-BHC is reemphasized and clinicians should be cautious when prescribing it.