Permethrin exerts its therapeutic effect by disrupting sodium transport across neuronal membranes in arthropods, inducing depolarization.
This mechanism ultimately leads to respiratory paralysis in the affected arthropod, establishing permethrin as a potent agent in managing scabies and pediculosis.
[4] Additional information about treatment failure rates amongst medications used to treat ectoparasites: https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/news/scabies-treatment-failure-rates-increasing-among-children-and-adults/ The above research article, noted from current studies, shows that Permethrin is only 89.2% effective.
[citation needed] Ectoparasiticides have seen use as chemical agents in South Africa with the aim of devaluing rhinoceros horns and combating illegal poaching.
The drill and inject procedure is considered harmless to the rhinoceros species due to the horn being isolated from both the nervous system and the bloodstream.