Question

Compare and contrast scabicides and pediculicides. This response should be at least 250 words in length

Answer 1

Scabicides are the chemical agents or drugs that are used to treat scabies. These agents kills the scabies mites and/or mite eggs. While, pediculicides are the class of insecticides that kills lice.

Scabies is skin infection which is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei also known as mite. These are found on the surface of the skin and it can burrow into skin layer and lay eggs. Scabies produces skin red rashes on the skin and is very itchy and it get worse at night.

Pediculosis is an infection on the hairy parts of the body and is caused by lice, an insect that feed on human blood. They are mostly found on head or in pubic area of the body and results in severe itching. There are species of lice that causes pediculosis and they are Pediculus humanus capitis that causes scalp infestation, Pediculus humanus corporis that causes body and clothing infestation, and Phthirus pubis that causes infestation at pubic area.

Scabies are transmitted by intimate prolong contact or through fomite transmission by clothing or bedding. It can occurs at any age or infect any gender. It generally found in low socioeconomic areas and in poor hygiene.

Peducolosis is more common in child compared to adults and is transmitted through head to head contact or sharing combs.

Example of scabicides are crotamiton, lindane, permithine, gamma benzene hexachloride etc. Example of pediculicides are spinosad, piperonyl butoxide, benzyl alcohol, ivermectine, lindane, malathion, permetrine etc.

Treatment of scabies depends on correct use on medication. Scabicides is to be applied to the whole body in case of severe symptoms to completely kill the mites or to destroy their eggs.

Permthrin 1% solution is used as scabicides and pediculicides.

Crotamiton have scabicidal action but its mechanism of action is still unknown. Malathion act by inhibiting the cholinesterase activity.

Lindane is used as scabicides as well as pediculicides and is a CNS stimulant, it causes convulsion and death of the arthropod.