Topical scabicide
Benzyl benzoate
Brand names: Ascabiol (specialist)
Adult dose
Dose: Apply 25% emulsion to whole body, leave 24h, repeat after 7 days
Route: Topical
Frequency: 2 applications 7 days apart
Clinical pearls
- NICE CKS Scabies: permethrin first-line; benzyl benzoate alternative when permethrin fails
- Treat all household contacts simultaneously
- UKHSA scabies guidance
Contraindications
- Children
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Inflamed/broken skin
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
- Skin irritation, stinging, burning
- Contact dermatitis
- Eye / mucosal irritation
Monitoring
- Symptom resolution at 4 weeks
Reference: BNF; NICE CKS Scabies; UKHSA; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/benzyl-benzoate/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Suspicious Pigmented Lesion — Melanoma Pathway · NICE NG14 2015 / BAD
- Cellulitis and Erysipelas · NICE NG141 2019 / CREST
- Psoriasis — Severity Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG153 2019 / BAD
- Atopic Eczema — Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG95 2023
- Urticaria and Angioedema · BSACI / EAACI Guidelines 2022
- Acne Vulgaris — Grading and Treatment · NICE NG198 2021 / BAD