Treatment of human head lice

The treatment of human head lice is a process that has been debated and studied for centuries. However, the number of cases of human louse infestations (or pediculosis) has increased worldwide since the mid-1960s, reaching hundreds of millions annually.] The method consists of thoroughly coating the scalp with the cleanser, removing the excess lotion from the hair with a comb, and using a blow dryer to dry the lotion to the scalp. However, the dried coating must remain on the scalp for 8 hours and instead of one application, the treatment consists of 3 applications done at one week intervals.cite web| last =Pearlman | first =Dale | title =Nuvo Method for Treating Head Lice | url =http://nuvoforheadlice.com/method_explained.htm | accessdate =2008-01-04 ] ----

having the head

Shaving the head or cutting the hair extremely short can be used to control lice infestation. Short hair, baldness, or a shaven scalp are generally seen as a preventative measure against lice infestation. However, it is not recommended that children be suddenly shorn due to the psychological damage the child might experience. See the Treatment modalities not recommended section for more information.

Products in development

A number of promising compounds are currently in development for the treatment of head lice. Approval of any of these products may make it much easier to treat head lice in the future.

* Summers Laboratories is developing a non pesticide lice treatment that kills by asphyxiation ( [http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/172599568.html Summer's Non-pesticide Lice Asphyxiator] ). This product is a water-based, water-soluble gel, similar in consistency to a hair conditioner. It consists of a mixture of dermatological and cosmetic ingredients. The product was acquired by Sciele Pharma for distribution in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Sciele announced the New Drug Application (NDA) was accepted by the FDA on August 16, 2007.
* [http://www.parapro.com/ ParaPRO] is developing a crème rinse containing a family friendly formulation that is lethal to head lice. cite journal| last =Cueto | first =G. Mougabure| coauthors =Zerba, E. N. ; Picollo, M. I. | title =Permethrin-Resistant head Lice (Anoplura: Pediculidae) in Argentina Are Susceptible to Spinosad| journal =Journal of Medical Entomology | volume =43 |number =3 | pages =634–635 | publisher =Entomological Society of America | date =May 2006 | url =http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/jme/2006/00000043/00000003/art00029 | doi =10.1603/0022-2585(2006)43 [634:PHLAPI] 2.0.CO;2 | year =2006 ] The active ingredient, Spinosad, is derived from a naturally occurring soil organism and was awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge award to recognize its innovation in cleaner and smarter chemistry. The product, tentatively branded NatrOVA, is currently being tested in FDA approved clinical trials.

* BTG (LSE: BGC) is developing a proprietary gel-based formulation for use as a topical treatment of head lice infestation. The product is a non-pesticide product derived from a natural source. In laboratory studies, [http://www.btgplc.com/view.aspx?ID=218&linkID=2021 BGC20-0582] killed both lice and their eggs following very short treatment times and was shown to be superior to a leading over-the-counter lice treatment product.

Treatment modalities not recommended

It is not recommended to use kerosene (alone or in combination with oil and vinegar), hair bleaches and dyes, antibiotics or ivermectin for treatment and garlic and Vitamin B for prevention.

Food-grade oils, hair gels, Vaseline and mayonnaise as well as formulations meant only for parasitic insects on pets or free-living insects in the household (e.g., ants and cockroaches) are not recommended for head lice treatment.cite journal
last =Mumcuoglu
first =Kosta Y.
coauthors =Miller, Jacqueline
title =The Relevance of Head Louse Comb and Nits to Head Louse Infestations.
journal =Trends in Entomology
volume =3
pages =113–117
date =2004
url =http://www.phthiraptera.org/Publications/44567.pdf
accessdate =2008-01-04 ]

It is not recommended that children's heads be shaved or even be given a short haircut for prevention or control of lice due to the psychological damage children might experience. Infestation with lice is not a disease and the medical symptoms are normally minimal. In any case, health providers and parents should try not to create emotional problems for children during examination and treatment.cite journal| last =Mumcuoglu | first =Kosta Y.| title =Head Lice in Drawings of Kindergarten Children | journal =The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences | volume =28 | issue = | pages =25–32 | date =1991]

ee also

*Head louse
*Lindane
*Pediculosis
*Nitpicking
*Olive oil
*Delphinium
*

References

External links

* [http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Division of Parasitic Diseases]
* [http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html Harvard School of Public Health: Head Lice Information]
* [http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/phtm/PHTM/hlice/hlinfo1.htm James Cook University, Australia: Head Lice Information Sheet]
* [http://www.medicinenet.com/head_lice/article.htm MedicineNet.com: Head Lice Infestation (Pediculosis)]
* [http://www.phthiraptera.org/ Phthiraptera Central: Bibliography of Lice]
* [http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/ University of Nebraska: Head Lice Resources You Can Trust]