dusting powder; medicated powder
Pharmaceutical term for a fine powder applied externally to the skin, often for medicinal or protective purposes.
The doctor prescribed a dusting powder for the affected area.
Standard kanji spelling for this pharmaceutical term.
Common variant using 散 instead of 撒; both are used in medical contexts.
Compound of 撒布 (sappu, 'scattering' or 'sprinkling') and 剤 (zai, 'medicine' or 'preparation'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with pharmaceutical dusting powders.