Benzyl benzoate is indicated for the treatment of scabies and other skin conditions caused by ectoparasites. The chemical compound kills a variety of parasites, including lice and ticks. Against the background of drug therapy, the symptoms of the disease are alleviated. It is not prescribed for patients under three years of age due to the risk of developing fatal complications. Application in other age groups is well tolerated.
The drug is included in the list of vital medicines.
Composition and form of release
Benzyl benzoate is an active ingredient with medicinal properties. The dosage and composition of the auxiliary components depend on the dosage form.
It is made in the form of an ointment and emulsion.
Benzyl benzoate ointment
Contains an active ingredient and a water-emulsion base. For external and local use. It is well absorbed into integumentary tissues. Dosage options for the active substance per gram of ointment: one hundred or two hundred milligrams.
Packaging
Benzyl benzoate in the form of an emulsion
For external and local use. May contain water, laundry soap, wax or other ingredients. One gram of the dosage form contains one hundred or two hundred milligrams of the active ingredient.
The cost
You can get benzyl benzoate to get rid of lice at the pharmacy. The price for a standard package of 25 g of ointment varies from 20 to 50 rubles. For 200 ml of emulsion, you will have to pay about 120-150 rubles. The cost depends on the volume of the bottle, manufacturer, region of purchase.
The amount of the drug required to completely get rid of parasites is different. The required volume depends on the length, thickness of the hair, the effectiveness of a single procedure, the thoroughness of mechanical processing. For 1 rubbing, on average, from 25 to 50 g of the product is spent. In this case, the emulsion is consumed more economically.
It is known that the fight against head lice must be started as soon as possible, to cover everyone who is in close contact. Benzyl benzoate in the form of an ointment or essence for treatment, among a wide range of medicines, is affordable, convenient, effective, and therefore always becomes the choice of consumers.
Find out more about head lice thanks to our articles:
- what the lice look like;
- types of lice, their differences;
- where do lice come from;
- how to tell if you have lice or symptoms of a disease;
- whether lice from nerves can appear;
- what does lice bites look like on a person's head;
- what is the danger of lice, what diseases they can carry.
Therapeutic action
According to the classification, the active ingredient belongs to antiparasitic topical medicines. The chemical compound is active against lice, itch mites and some other skin parasites. The average time to kill mites after topical application is 25 minutes. The average time to kill lice after application is three and a half hours. The drug does not destroy the eggs of parasites. The composition may contain cetylpyridinium, which is capable of destroying some pathogenic microorganisms.
The drug is well absorbed into the superficial parts of the epidermis. It practically does not enter the bloodstream, therefore, systemic side effects during treatment are rare.
How to use the ointment?
Since the ointment is cheaper, it is it that is most often chosen, so we will start with it.How to use lice and nits ointment? In fact, everything is very simple:
- Pre-comb your hair thoroughly so that it does not get tangled.
- Apply the ointment to your hair and skin in a thin, even layer, rubbing lightly.
- Place a scarf or cotton towel over your head.
- Leave the product for 30 minutes.
- Rinse off with water with a few drops of vinegar and then rinse your hair again with shampoo.
- Remove dead parasites with a special comb.
Judging by the reviews, the drug kills adult parasites instantly, but not always the nits. Therefore, if necessary, the treatment must be repeated after 1-2 weeks (if parasites appear in the hair again).
Side effects
When used correctly, adverse reactions are rare. The drug is characterized only by local side effects due to the action of a chemical compound on the tissue. Typical immunopathological manifestations are possible with the sensitivity of the patient's immunity to the substances included in the ointment or emulsion (allergy). Intolerance is also possible. It is necessary to study the composition and consult a doctor before use.
Possible side reactions:
- Soreness in the area of the skin.
- Skin rashes.
- Itching of the skin.
- Dry skin.
- Other allergic manifestations.
If signs of allergy appear against the background of skin treatment, you need to stop using the medication and make an appointment with your doctor.
Overdose
Exceeding the dosage is fraught with increased negative manifestations. For example, contact dermatitis, urinary retention, convulsions may develop.
If the medicine gets inside, in addition to the listed reactions, loss of consciousness is possible. To prevent such effects, experts advise to carefully handle the antiparasitic composition, to exclude its contact with the mucous membrane.
To eliminate the symptoms of an overdose, the patient is offered activated carbon or any other sorbent. Anticonvulsants are used as needed.
If, after applying the product, redness and burning appear on the skin, the medicine should be washed off as soon as possible with warm water.
Indications for the use of benzyl benzoate
It is used to treat pathologies of integumentary tissues caused by skin parasites. Local application promotes the rapid destruction of pathogens and the elimination of unpleasant manifestations of the disease. The scope of application of the medicinal substance is determined by the doctor.
No prescription is required to buy an ointment or emulsion, but self-medication is not recommended. The doctor can choose an effective treatment regimen for the parasitic infection.
Basic indications
- Scabies... This parasitic disease is caused by the invasion of the scabies mite into the skin. Infection occurs when the patient comes into contact with other people. Parasites penetrate the surface layers of the epidermis to lay eggs. About a month after infection, the main symptoms of the pathology appear, including itching, purulent inflammation and skin rashes. This is a common disease of the integumentary tissues.
- Pediculosis... This is a parasitic pathology caused by different types of lice. Parasites can invade the scalp, pubic area, and other areas of the body. Lice can colonize clothing, which can damage the tissue-contacting part of the skin. Against the background of the disease, there are signs such as rashes (grayish-red dots in the area of the bites), itching. Transmitted from person to person.
- Demodecosis... The disease is caused by the invasion of a parasitic mite into the hair follicle. Parasites usually colonize the face and outer ear area. Typical symptoms of the pathology include acne, itching, swelling and redness of tissues.
- Other indications: acne, tinea versicolor, oily seborrhea.
Most manufacturers only list scabies and head lice as indications. For the treatment of other listed diseases, it is recommended to use specialized medicines.
Testimonials
According to the results, it can be concluded that the drug produced in the USSR is not for cutaneous, but for subcutaneous parasites, is still almost as effective as foreign counterparts. But it surpasses them in price, destroying not only ticks, but also lice.
I used benzyl benzoate several times for my daughter's lice. The child returned from summer camp with parasites.
Without thinking twice, I acquired an emulsion and began to carry out treatments. I applied the product to the hair once every 3 days. In total, I spent 4 procedures, 30 minutes each.
We got rid of insects quickly, but we had to tinker with the eggs.
Some pimples appeared on the skin of the face and forearm. I thought it would go away on its own, but the rash quickly spread to neighboring areas.
The dermatologist passed the verdict - demodectic mange. I was surprised when the doctor prescribed Benzyl benzoate for treatment.
For little money, the product instantly destroys a subcutaneous tick. After a couple of weeks, not a trace remained of the unpleasant symptoms.
I work as a massage therapist. Hands are involved in the process of performing manipulations. Therefore, the appearance of signs of scabies was upsetting, but not surprising.
For the treatment I used the most accessible remedy - Benzyl benzoate. I worked the area between the fingers 2 r. a day with ointment.
It took 8 days to fully recover. It works well with ticks in a short period of time.
Contraindications
Some patients are not prescribed because of the risk of dangerous complications during use. If the patient has an increased sensitivity to the substances included in the dosage form, the drug is not prescribed. For infants, the remedy is never prescribed due to the likelihood of developing suffocation and death.
Appointed by a specialist
Other contraindications:
- Age up to three years.
- Carrying a baby.
- Purulent inflammation of the skin.
- Open skin lesions in the area of application.
- Breastfeeding period.
The ointment or emulsion should not get inside, in the area of the eyes and mucous membranes. Only local (skin) use to eliminate the risk of absorption of the active component into the bloodstream.
Positive aspects of the procedure
The instructions for using benzyl benzoate for lice must be carefully followed. Otherwise, it will be difficult to achieve a good result. It is also important to store the medicine properly. It should be located in a place protected from direct sunlight. In this case, the ambient temperature should not exceed twenty degrees.
The product will be suitable for use for three years. It is prohibited to use it after the end of this period, as this can cause severe allergic reactions and deterioration of the skin condition.
If we compare this with other medicines for head lice, then we can highlight a number of advantages:
- the drug is made according to a proven formula that pharmacists invented at the beginning of the last century;
- the cost of the ointment is low, in contrast to insecticidal shampoos and sprays;
- the substance penetrates into the deep layers of the complex cover and eliminates the pathological processes occurring there.
But there are also downsides to this treatment. For a long time, the ointment has not been improved, therefore, drugs that have been created relatively recently are more effective. If it takes about four hours for benzyl benzoate to take effect, then an hour will be enough for modern insecticides.
Also, the ointment has an unpleasant odor. But compared to other ointments, products with benzyl benzoate are very affordable and the price is quite consistent with the quality. Also, the drug has no analogues.
From this we can conclude that the substance is more suitable for eliminating the effects of parasite bites. The drug has stood the test of time and does more good than harm.
Instructions for the use of benzyl benzoate
Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a physician. If the patient comes into contact with other infected people, joint treatment should be carried out. Skin pathologies such as eczema and inflammation are eliminated at the same time as the parasitic disease. To reduce the risk of relapse, it is necessary to treat clothes and other personal items.
Ointment and emulsion are applied only externally in a small layer. Adult patients are shown the use of a product containing two hundred milligrams of the active substance. In children over three years old, a drug containing one hundred milligrams of the component is used.
The volume of the ointment for a single application is thirty to forty grams.
According to the instructions of most manufacturers, the topical form is applied before bedtime after hygiene procedures on all areas of the skin, excluding the scalp and face. Hands should not be washed until morning. On the fourth day, a similar procedure is carried out. On the fifth day, personal belongings must be processed.
additional information
- It is not recommended to use in conjunction with other topical agents. If you plan to use other medications, you need to consult a doctor.
- After therapy, soreness and itching may appear. This is a residual reaction due to the sensitivity of local immunity to the decay products of the parasite. It is possible to use anti-inflammatory medications under the supervision of a physician.
- After treatment, the specialist must monitor the patient's condition for fourteen days. Sometimes you need long-term observation to exclude complications and relapse.
- Processing of clothes and bed linen is carried out by boiling with the use of washing powder. Outerwear can be moderately heat treated with an iron. The rest of the items are placed in the open air for several days or disinfected. It is necessary to discuss the method of disinfection of various personal substances with a specialist.
- If the substance enters the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to rinse the stomach as soon as possible with a solution of sodium bicarbonate (one or two percent), activated carbon and an aqueous solution of magnesium oxide (about two tablespoons per 250 milliliters of water). If swallowed, you can rinse your mouth with a baking soda solution. The areas of the eyes and nose are cleaned with water after accidental contact. If there are signs of complications, you need to see a specialist.
- To completely destroy the eggs of parasites in the apartment, it is recommended to carry out disinfectant cleaning.
- The medicine does not affect the speed of psychomotor reactions.
Full instructions can be found in the package.
special instructions
It is necessary to treat not only those infected with scabies, but also all contact people in order to prevent re-infection in the future. Upon completion of the therapeutic course, the patient may persist in itching and irritation, which does not serve as an indication for extending the course or introducing other antiparasitic ointments into it.
Usually, corticosteroid ointments help against itching - they quickly neutralize the waste products of ticks, which provoke allergies and itching.
The patient's health condition is monitored within 14 days after the completion of treatment. If there are complications of scabies, medical supervision can continue for up to a month or as needed. In parallel with the therapy, the following is carried out:
- wash personal items;
- boil bed linen, towels;
- iron all outer clothing;
- things that cannot be washed are hung out for airing for three days;
- you can also put things in tight bags for 5 days without using them (this includes pillows, mattresses, toys, etc.);
- upholstered furniture is disinfected with special agents, floors are washed with antiseptic solutions.
When treating, it is important to exclude the ointment from entering the mouth. Otherwise, the oral cavity is washed with a 2% soda solution, if necessary, the stomach is also washed with it.
Drug analogs
Benzyl benzoate is the name of the active substance and the trade name in the form of an ointment and emulsion. Other medicines based on this chemical compound can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Known analogues:
- Wilkinson's ointment.
- Benzyl benzoate Grindeks.
Analogue
In the treatment of scabies, pyrethrins, pyrethroids and other medicines are also used, however, the appointment of such funds is possible only as directed by the attending physician.
Safety engineering
A few rules that you should never forget about:
- the comb should be rinsed immediately after combing, as the lice themselves and their larvae remain on it;
- the comb should be rinsed in hot water, or even better in boiling water. Read more about the processing of combs in our article;
- in order to comb out nits from long hair, they should be collected in a tail on one side, separating strand by strand, combed from the very roots;
- combing should be carried out over the bathroom. This measure is due to the fact that lice do not get on the bed or floor.
This medication is effective. If necessary, the drug can be supplemented with the use of other medicines, which can be purchased at the pharmacy.
As a rule, treatment should be continued. 3-5 days. If required, the therapy can be increased up to 10 days.
Unwanted effects
After applying the ointment, side effects such as skin redness and irritation, itching and burning may occur. Sometimes there is inflammation similar to dermatitis. This does not mean that you need to stop using the product. Human skin gradually adapts to the ointment, and soon all unpleasant manifestations disappear on their own. If the drug is too itchy, you can take an antihistamine. However, if the side effects persist for a long time, then you need to consult with your doctor about replacing benzyl benzoate with another remedy.
Usually, undesirable effects occur in children, since their skin is still quite delicate and sensitive. Irritation from the ointment is often seen in the treatment of pubic lice, when the agent gets on the genitals. Often, a burning sensation and dermatitis appear when the cream is applied to damaged skin.
When the recommended dose is exceeded, side effects intensify. If too much cream or emulsion has been applied, wash off the product as soon as possible with soap and water. This neutralizes the effect of the excess dose of the drug. If the ointment accidentally gets inside the body, then poisoning may occur, which is manifested by convulsions, loss of consciousness, delayed urine excretion. In such cases, you need to immediately rinse the stomach with a soda solution, give the patient activated charcoal and call a doctor. Symptomatic treatment of intoxication with the use of anticonvulsants is carried out.
If the medicine gets into the eyes and causes reddening of the sclera and burning sensation, then sulfanilamide solutions and Procaine are instilled under the eyelid.
