Final answer:
Permethrin cream 5% is the most appropriate treatment for the 14-year-old boy presenting with characteristic symptoms of scabies after returning from summer camp. The cream should be applied to all areas of the body from the neck down and left on for 8 to 14 hours before washing off. Other treatment options mentioned are not suitable for scabies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 14-year-old boy with intense pruritus in his groin, axillae, and between his fingers, who recently returned from summer camp, likely has scabies given the presence of similar symptoms in other campers and the characteristic distribution of lesions. The most appropriate treatment in this scenario would be Permethrin cream 5%, which is a topical scabicidal agent applied to all areas of the body from the neck down and washed off after 8 to 14 hours. Permethrin is generally considered safe and effective for scabies and is the treatment of choice for patients over the age of 2 months. It should be noted that other options like Ketoconazole (antifungal), Lindane (scabicidal, but with more potential side effects and restrictions), and Prednisone (a corticosteroid, primarily used to reduce inflammation but not effective against scabies mites) would not be suitable for the treatment of scabies. To prevent reinfestation, it's also recommended that the individual wash all clothing, towels, and bedding in hot water and dry them with high heat.