Interventions for treating head lice

Wouden, Johannes C van der; Klootwijk, Tim; Cléach, L. Le; Do, Giao; Stichele, Robert Vander; Neven, Arie Knuistingh; Eekhof, Just

doi:10.1002/14651858.cd009321

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…[18][19][20] A Cochrane review concerning pediculicides has a substantial update under way, because previous reviews were conducted before the development of drug resistances. 21 The guidance in this report is intended for use by pediatricians and other practitioners in the United States. The Canadian Pediatric Society recently updated its position statement on head lice infestation.…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Head Lice

Devore¹,

Schutze²

2015

Pediatrics

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Head lice infestation is associated with limited morbidity but causes a high level of anxiety among parents of school-aged children. Since the 2010 clinical report on head lice was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, newer medications have been approved for the treatment of head lice. This revised clinical report clarifies current diagnosis and treatment protocols and provides guidance for the management of children with head lice in the school setting.

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Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Head Lice

Devore¹,

Schutze²

2015

Pediatrics

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“…A protocol for a Cochrane Collaboration systematic review on the subject has been published (Vander Wouden et al 2011), and results are now awaited. Relying on products alone to contain head louse infestations at a reasonable level will not be sufficient.…”

Section: Recommendations For Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Ex vivo effectiveness of French over-the-counter products against head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, 1778)

et al. 2015

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Head lice infestation is still a public health problem worldwide, with an intracountry and intercountry prevalence variation of 0.7 to 59%. There is a large variety of over-the-counter anti-louse products, but their efficacy is not always well assessed. Our objective was to test the pediculicidal and ovicidal efficacy of 21 over-the-counter head louse products, available in France during the period of 2008 to 2012. We tested children living in Tours City in central France and visiting preschools, primary schools, kindergarten, camps, and child care facilities, as well as children in their family houses, and were examined for the presence of lice. The products were collected from randomly selected pharmacies by covert investigators and then tested in the laboratory on an ex vivo sample of head lice and their eggs, collected from the hair of infested children. Living lice and unharmed eggs were collected from the scalps of 3-12 years old. The laboratory conditions for ex vivo testing mimicked the manufacturers' instructions for exposure time and application method. In 21 runs, 3919 living lice and 4321 undamaged living eggs were collected from the scalp of over 400 children. The 21 products were classified in three groups: 6 products in a group of potentially 100% pediculicidal activity and potentially 100% ovicidal activity, 8 products in a group of potentially 100% pediculicidal activity but insufficient ovicidal activity (including 2 products with claims of single application treatment), and 7 products in a group of insufficient pediculicidal activity and ovicidal activity. The pharmaceutical market for head lice products in France is swamped with poorly tested and ineffective products. Rigorous efficacy testing preregistration and periodic screening and testing of effectiveness in the post-registration period should be endorsed by the health authorities.

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“…The human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis , is an ectoparasitic insect found on the scalp that is endemic world-wide [ 1 ]. Head louse infestation can cause intense scalp itching and scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections [ 2 ]. In low and middle income countries, this parasitic skin disease has received little attention in research [ 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ivermectin is an oral, semi-synthetic derivative of the avermectin family of lactones that selectively binds glutamate-gated chloride channels found in invertebrate muscle and nerve cells thus disrupting neurotransmission in a wide range of human parasites [ 5 ]. Oral preparations of ivermectin can be used to treat head lice [ 2 , 6 ] as well as other blood feeding ectoparasitic diseases, including scabies [ 7 , 8 ]. It should be noted that for both, head lice and scabies, oral ivermectin treatment does not have ovicidal action.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of ivermectin administered for scabies treatment on the prevalence of head lice in Atoifi, Solomon Islands

Coscione

Esau²,

Kekeubata³

et al. 2018

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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BackgroundScabies and head lice are ubiquitous ectoparasitic infestations that are common across the Pacific Islands. Ivermectin is an effective treatment for both conditions, although the doses used vary. At a community level, mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin is an effective strategy to decrease prevalence of scabies. To what extent MDA with ivermectin will also reduce prevalence of head lice is unknown.MethodologyHead lice prevalence was assessed before and after MDA with oral ivermectin (at a dose of 200 micrograms per kilogram of body weight) administered on day 1 and day 8. The primary outcome was the change in prevalence of head louse infestation at two weeks compared to baseline. Longer term efficacy was assessed three months after MDA.Results118 participants were enrolled. Baseline prevalence of active head louse infestation was 25.4% (95% CI 18.4–34.0). At two-week follow-up, prevalence was 2.5% (95% CI 0.9–7.2), a relative reduction of 89.1% (95% CI 72.7–91.4%, p<0.001). At three-month follow-up, prevalence was 7.5% (95% CI 2.7–12.3), a relative reduction of 70.6% (95% CI 72.7%-91.4%, p <0.001). Head louse infestation was associated with younger age (age ≤10 years: prevalence 46.7%; adjusted odds ratio compared to adults of 7.2, 95%CI 2.0–25.9) and with having at least one other member of the household with active head louse infestation (adjusted odds ratio 4.3, 95%CI 1.7–11.1).ConclusionsHead louse infestation is common in the Solomon Islands. This proof of principle study shows that oral ivermectin at a dose of 200 micrograms per kilogram can reduce the burden of active head louse infestation, offering an additional collateral benefit of MDA with ivermectin for scabies control.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03236168.

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Interventions for treating head lice

Cited by 12 publications

References 70 publications

Head Lice

Head Lice

Ex vivo effectiveness of French over-the-counter products against head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, 1778)

Impact of ivermectin administered for scabies treatment on the prevalence of head lice in Atoifi, Solomon Islands

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