Answer :
Final answer:
Medications such as ivermectin are used to treat mite and lice infestations by causing paralysis and death of the parasites. Antifungal medications like terbinafine and griseofulvin are also used, but they target fungal infections rather than mites or lice.
Explanation:
Medications Used to Treat Mites and Lice
Medications used to treat infestations by mites or lice include ivermectin, which is an effective treatment due to its ability to bind to glutamate-gated chloride channels specific to invertebrates. This binding action results in paralysis and death of the parasites, making ivermectin suitable for treating conditions such as onchocerciasis, strongyloidiasis, and parasitic insects like mites and lice. The safety profile of ivermectin for humans is favorable, as it is nontoxic to human cells.Another class of medications used for fungal infections, which can sometimes be confused with mite or lice infestations due to similar symptoms, includes imidazoles and allylamines. Antifungal treatments such as terbinafine, miconazole, and clotrimazole are used topically for skin conditions, while griseofulvin is an oral option. These treatments target different pathways in fungal ergosterol biosynthesis, leading to the death of the fungus causing infections like athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch.
