Scabies: Molecular Perspectives and Therapeutic Implications in the Face of Emerging Drug Resistance

Kate E. Mounsey; Deborah C. Holt; James McCarthy; Bart J. Currie; Shelley F. Walton

Disclosures

Future Microbiol. 2008;3(1):57-66. 

In This Article

Alternative Therapeutic Agents

Several natural agents with acaricidal properties have been described. These include lippia oil (Lippia multiflora),[24] camphor oil (Eucalyptus globulus)[25] and pastes of turmeric (Circuma longa) and neem (Azadirachta indica).[26] Although high cure rates (97%) were obtained with the latter, neem was found to have little acaricidal properties in vitro.[27]

One promising new treatment is tea tree oil. Derived from Melaleuca alternifolia, tea tree oil is a traditional Australian Aboriginal medicine used for skin infections and insect bites, and this essential oil has demonstrated antimicrobial activity.[28] However, its potential as an antiparasitic had not been explored until recently. In vitro studies revealed that at a concentration of 5%, tea tree oil had excellent acaricidal properties.[29] In current treatment protocols for crusted scabies at Royal Darwin Hospital (Australia), benzyl benzoate ointment is supplemented with 5% tea tree oil.[30] Not only is this a potent combination in vitro,[29] but the addition of tea tree oil helps to reduce the significant irritation experienced with benzyl benzoate [Unpublished Data]. However, more data regarding the safety and in vivo efficacy of topical tea tree oil through clinical trials are required before its widespread promotion as a therapeutic agent for scabies can occur.

Comments

3090D553-9492-4563-8681-AD288FA52ACE
Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.

processing....