Head lice spread quickly, especially among schoolchildren, so it is important to treat the problem as soon as it is identified to prevent further infestation of classmates, as well as family members. Hair products that contain insecticides for treating lice are available over the counter and by prescription. According to University of Nebraska Extension any type of shampoo and conditioner can be used with a specific combing method to remove both lice and their nits, or eggs, from the hair without the use of toxic chemicals.
Features
In a clinical report published in a July 2010 edition of "Pediatrics," the The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasized that the best treatment for lice is one that is completely safe, free of harmful chemicals, inexpensive, easy to obtain and easy to use. Lice appear to have become resistant to some of the insecticides traditionally found in shampoos, mousses and other hair treatments, including some of those that are considered safest for humans, such as 1 percent permethrin and pyrethrins. In many cases, non-toxic methods such as careful combing of hair that has been saturated with ordinary shampoos and conditioners, using a special nit comb, has proven to be effective for removing lice and eggs.
Types
Treatments that destroy lice are known as pediculicides. Shampoos, mousses, cream-rinse conditioners and other topical hair products for lice that are available over the counter in drugstores and health food stores contain pediculicides such as permethrin, which is considered the safest, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, or pyrethrins plus piperonyl butoxide, also considered safe for humans. Prescription-strength pediculicide shampoos, conditioners and other head treatments that may be considered for serious infestations include 0.5 percent malathion, benzyl alcohol or 1 percent lindane, which is no longer recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some treatments that have been successful use any type of regular shampoo, conditioner or cream rinse to saturate the hair and then manually remove lice and nits with the use of fine-toothed nit comb
Methods
Each type of prescription and over-the-counter lice treatment comes with specific instructions and it is important to follow these instructions carefully for safe and effective use. It is important that you don't use shampoos with conditioners or conditioners before using medicated shampoo treatments, as the conditioner may block the action of the medicine.
The comb-out method, using regular shampoos and conditioners and a nit comb, physically damages lice and is especially effective for removing eggs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. In one method that has been reported as somewhat successful in the United Kingdom, hair is washed with regular shampoo and then vigorously combed with a nit comb while still wet. While it works for some children, a study published in a 2000 issue of "The Lancet" reported a cure rate of only 38 percent, which was half that of treatment with malathion lotion. A similar method using regular, everyday hair conditioner and more careful use of a nit comb, followed by cleaning with regular shampoo, is recommended as a safe and effective treatment by the University of Nebraska Extension.
Time Frame
To ensure complete removal of lice and nits, most shampoo and conditioner treatments must be repeated after a certain period. Instructions for follow-up treatments come with prescription and store-bought lice shampoos and conditioners. The wet-comb shampoo method form "The Lancet" study was used twice weekly for two weeks. To prevent re-infestation, which often occurs because lice were not completely eliminated during an initial treatment, the University of Nebraska Extension recommends ongoing examination of all family members and follow-up treatment if and when lice or nits are found.
Considerations
The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against improper and unsafe use of lice treatments without medical supervision, particularly self-treatment that involves overuse and use over-the-counter shampoos and other hair treatments when no lice are diagnosed. Because of human safety and the potential for lice to become resistant to pediculicides, the academy recommends speaking to a physician before using any type of medicinal lice treatment.
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