The effect of vinegar on the Sarcoptes scabiei parasite: in vitro killing activity

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro scabicidal activity of vinegar at concentrations of 100%, 50%, and 25%, and to compare its efficacy with 5% permethrin to determine its potential as an alternative therapeutic option Materials and Methods: A total of 50 intact and motile Sarcoptes scabiei mites were included. The mites were extracted from patients’ burrows under dermoscopic guidance using a 22G needle, and only intact, actively moving specimens were selected. Five groups were tested: Group I (100% vinegar), Group II (50% vinegar), Group III (25% vinegar), Group IV (5% permethrin; positive control), and Group V (oil immersion; negative control). Survival time was defined as the interval from exposure to the test solution until the complete cessation of mite movement, and this was monitored in real time using a digital microscope. Ten mites were evaluated in each group. Results: In Group I (100% vinegar; 0.6 ± 0.1 min), Group II (50% vinegar; 11.8 ± 1.4 min), and Group IV (5% permethrin; 336 ± 37.2 min), complete mortality of Sarcoptes scabiei was achieved within the first eight hours of exposure. In contrast, mites in Group III (25% vinegar; 1782 ± 87.9 min) and Group V (oil immersion; 1836 ± 82.3 min) remained viable at the 8-hour evaluation. Both undiluted and 50% vinegar exhibited markedly greater scabicidal activity compared with the other groups. Conclusion: Although undiluted vinegar carries a risk of irritant contact dermatitis, 50% diluted grape vinegar retains substantial scabicidal efficacy. It exhibited a significantly greater killing effect compared with 5% permethrin while simultaneously reducing the risk of skin irritation, thereby representing a potentially safer alternative.