A recently imprisoned man presents with a pruritic rash. What is the most appropriate treatment?

In the context of a recently imprisoned man presenting with a pruritic rash, the choice of treatment is most appropriate when considering the possibility of a scabies infestation, which is common in crowded environments. Permethrin is a topical scabicidal agent that is effective in treating scabies. It works by killing the mites and their eggs, addressing the root cause of the itching and rash.

Topical corticosteroids, while they can be effective for various dermatological conditions, primarily serve to reduce inflammation and pruritus, rather than treating an underlying infestation. Oral antihistamines may alleviate itching but do not address the cause of the rash. Antifungal creams are indicated for fungal skin infections and would not be effective in a case of scabies.

Thus, the selection of permethrin is appropriate as it directly targets the condition likely causing the pruritic rash in this scenario.