Definition

Noun: A substance, specifically a pharmaceutical drug or chemical agent, used to kill the mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) that cause the skin infestation known as scabies.

Usage

A scabicide is a topical or oral medication prescribed to treat scabies by eradicating the parasitic mites and their eggs. It is a specific type of parasiticide.

Examples

• The doctor prescribed a scabicide lotion to be applied from the neck down.
• Permethrin cream is a common and effective scabicide.
• Treatment failure can occur if the scabicide is not applied correctly to all areas of the skin.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used in medical, pharmacological, and public health contexts when discussing treatment protocols for parasitic skin diseases.
• Scabicidal (adjective): Describing the killing action against scabies mites. (e.g., "The lotion has strong scabicidal properties.")

Variants and Related Words

• Scabicidal (adj.): Having the quality of killing scabies mites.
• Acaricide (n.): A broader term for a substance that kills mites and ticks, which includes scabicides.
• Pediculicide (n.): A drug that kills lice, often discussed alongside scabicides as treatments for ectoparasites.

Synonyms

• Antiscabietic agent
• Miticide (specifically for )

Notes

• A scabicide is distinct from treatments that only soothe the itching (anti-pruritics) or treat secondary bacterial infections; its primary function is acaricidal.
• Proper application and, sometimes, repeat treatment are crucial for a scabicide to be effective, as the mites burrow under the skin.

Noun

1. a drug that destroys the itch mite that causes scabies