Definition of "permethrin" []

• A topical insecticide, C21H20CL2O3, used to treat head lice and nits, scabies, and various species of ticks. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "For example, many concentrated "spot-on" flea medications contain a pesticide called permethrin, which can cause skin and eye irritation, rashes, inflammation and neurological symptoms."
• "Pesticides called permethrin and malathion can also be problematic for lice treatment."
• "Just like lice, scabies is treatable with a topical medicated cream called permethrin."