Published online September 1, 2004
PEDIATRICS Vol. 114 No. 3 September 2004, pp. e275-e279 (doi:10.1542/10.1542/peds.2003-0666-F)
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Pediculosis Capitis (Head Lice)
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ELECTRONIC ARTICLE

A Simple Treatment for Head Lice: Dry-On, Suffocation-Based Pediculicide

Dale Lawrence Pearlman, MD

From Family Dermatology, Menlo Park, California

Objectives. The emergence of drug-resistant lice has created the need for new therapies. This study assesses a new method without neurotoxins, extensive household cleaning, or nit removal.

Methods. One hundred thirty-three subjects participated in 2 open clinical trials. In the first trial, 93 subjects completed treatment using a nontoxic, dry-on, suffocation-based, pediculicide lotion, minimal household cleaning measures, and physical removal of the nits. In the second trial, 40 subjects completed treatment using an identical protocol except that the nits were not removed. Head lice infestation was defined as a wet combing test showing lice. Cure was defined as a wet combing test showing no lice, with an absence of symptoms. Subjects were contacted 6 months later, for assessment of their disease status.

Results. Cure was achieved for 97% of the patients in the first trial and 95% in the second trial. Remission at the follow-up assessment was reported for 77 of 82 subjects (94%) in the first trial and 36 of 38 subjects (95%) in the second trial. There was no statistical difference in cure rates or remission rates between the protocols with and without nit removal. The overall cure rate was 96%, with a remission rate of 94%. There were no adverse effects.

Conclusions. Dry-on, suffocation-based, pediculicide lotion effectively treats head lice without neurotoxins, nit removal, or extensive house cleaning. These results are comparable or superior to the results previously reported for treatments with permethrin, pyrethrin, and malathion.

Key Words: lice • Pediculus humanus var capitis • resistance • permethrin • pyrethrin • malathion

Abbreviations: DSP, dry-on, suffocation-based pediculicide

Accepted Mar 25, 2004.


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eLetters:

Read all eLetters

Don't jump to use this remedy for lice
Susan S. Aronson
Pediatrics Online, 16 Sep 2004 [Full text]
Response to Dr. Aronson’s Comments
Dale L Pearlman
Pediatrics Online, 18 Sep 2004 [Full text]