Methods and compositions for treating ectoparasite infestation
View Patent ↗Compositions and methods for killing ectoparasites on a subject. Compositions containing a fatty acid ester, e.g., isopropyl myristate, effective for killing ectoparasites is described. Also described are compositions containing a fatty acid ester and a siloxane (e.g., decacyclomethicone). The compositions can also contain a mectin and/or a mycin, and S-methoprene. The compositions are useful against a variety of ectoparasites that afflict humans, animals, and plants, e.g., head lice, fleas, body lice, crab lice, scabies, ticks, and plant parasites.
1. A method of killing ectoparasites on a subject, said method comprising:
topically administering to an area on the subject where ectoparasites are present a composition consisting essentially of isopropyl palmitate at a concentration of at least 25% w/w and at least 20% cyclic siloxane;
further wherein said composition does not contain any other agent in an amount effective for killing said ectoparasites.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said ectoparasites are selected from the group consisting of lice, mites, ticks, and fleas.
3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the subject is a mammal.
4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the mammal is a human and the ectoparasites are head lice.
5. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the mammal is a dog or cat and the ectoparasites are fleas or ticks.
6. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the mammal is a dog or cat and the ectoparasites are mites.
7. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said ectoparasite is selected from the group consisting of body lice, crab lice, scabies, and ticks.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the cyclic siloxane is selected from the group consisting of decacyclomethicone, octametylcyclomethicone, cyclotetrasiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said cyclic siloxane is decacyclomethicone.