Head Lice in Norwegian Households: Actions Taken, Costs and Knowledge

Introduction: Head lice infestations cause distress in many families. A well-founded strategy to reduce head lice prevalence must shorten the infectious period of individual hosts. To develop such a strategy, information about the actions taken (inspection, treatment and informing others about own infestations), level of knowledge and costs is needed. The present study is the first to consider all these elements combined. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was answered by 6203 households from five geographically separate

A highly efficacious pediculicide based on dimeticone: Randomized observer blinded comparative trial

BACKGROUND: Infestation with the human head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) occurs worldwide. Existing treatment options are limited, and reports of resistance to commonly used pediculicides have been increasing. In this trial we assessed the efficacy of a product containing a high (92%) concentration of the silicone oil dimeticone (identical in composition to NYDA(R)), as compared to a 1% permethrin lotion. METHODS: Randomized, controlled, observer blinded clinical trial. Participants were recruited from a poor urban neighbourhood in Brazil where pediculosis capitis was highly prevalent. To minimize reinfestation during the trial, participants (145 children aged 5-15 years with head lice infestations) were transferred to a holiday resort outside the endemic area for a period of 9 days. Two applications of dimeticone or 1% permethrin were done, seven days apart. Outcome measures were defined as cure (absence of vital head lice) after first application and before and after second applications, degree of itching, cosmetic acceptability, and clinical pathology. RESULTS: Overall cure rates were: day 2 - dimeticone 94.5% (95% CI: 86.6% - 98.5%) and permethrin 66.7% (95% CI: 54.6% - 77.3%; p < 0.0001); day 7 - dimeticone 64.4% (95% CI: 53.3% - 75.3%) and permethrin 59.7% (95% CI: 47.5% - 71.1%; p = 0.5); day 9 - dimeticone 97.2% (95% CI: 90.3% - 99.7%) and permethrin 67.6% (95% CI: 55.4%-78.2%); p < 0.0001). Itching was reduced similarly in both groups. Cosmetic acceptability was significantly better in the dimeticone group as compared to the permethrin group (p = 0.01). Two mild product-related incidents occurred in the dimeticone group. CONCLUSION: The dimeticone product is a safe and highly efficacious pediculicide. Due to its physical mode of action (interruption of the lice's oxygen supply of the central nervous system), development of resistance is unlikely. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN15117709

Uncovering family experience with head lice treatment: results of on-line questionnaire

Although, infection with head lice is an emotional issue, the social and emotional aspects of treating head lice have been neglected by researchers. Existing research focuses on the insect's biology and treatment strategies. A head lice information website sponsored an anonymous, exploratory questionnaire which asked: feelings at discovery, difficulties experienced with control and other problematic issues. Eligible respondents (n = 332) were overwhelming female (91 %), from developed countries (85%) and employed full-time (43%) or part-time (34%). Two important themes with public health implications were the burden of treatment, particularly the time required to diagnose and treat pediculosis, and the emotional impact of head lice. Time required to manage head lice has implications for the usefulness of current treatment methods which are incompatible with the lifestyles of the female parents/guardians from developed nations. An oral drug would probably find wide acceptance if concerns abour safety and overuse could be addressed. Most emotional reactions to discovery were strongly negative. Social stigma and treatment workload appear causal. Current professional advice uses a bio-medical model of control largely ignoring social and emotional dimensions. Strategies\ud to address these dimensions are required. These study findings will now enable exploration in greater depth with more sophisticated instruments

Uncovering family experience with head lice treatment: results of on-line questionnaire

Although, infection with head lice is an emotional issue, the social and emotional aspects of treating head lice have been neglected by researchers. Existing research focuses on the insect's biology and treatment strategies. A head lice information website sponsored an anonymous, exploratory questionnaire which asked: feelings at discovery, difficulties experienced with control and other problematic issues. Eligible respondents (n = 332) were overwhelming female (91 %), from developed countries (85%) and employed full-time (43%) or part-time (34%). Two important themes with public health implications were the burden of treatment, particularly the time required to diagnose and treat pediculosis, and the emotional impact of head lice. Time required to manage head lice has implications for the usefulness of current treatment methods which are incompatible with the lifestyles of the female parents/guardians from developed nations. An oral drug would probably find wide acceptance if concerns abour safety and overuse could be addressed. Most emotional reactions to discovery were strongly negative. Social stigma and treatment workload appear causal. Current professional advice uses a bio-medical model of control largely ignoring social and emotional dimensions. Strategies to address these dimensions are required. These study findings will now enable exploration in greater depth with more sophisticated instruments