Treatments for Head lice

Treatment list for Head lice:

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Head lice includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

• Lice killing medications
  • Head lice shampoos
• Nit removal measures
  • Special combing of the hair
• Measures to remove lice and nits from objects
  • Soak haircare objects in antiseptic solution, alcohol or lice shampoo
  • Hot machine wash all bedding, towels and clothes
  • Vacuum rugs, mattresses, furniture, etc

Treatments of Head lice: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Head lice.

Abnormal Head Shape: Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

• Caput succedaneum requires no therapy, and typically resolves within several days
• Cephalohematoma due to birth trauma may require transfusion if there is significant blood accumulation; may require phototherapy for secondary hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia; needle aspiration is contraindicated because of concerns of infection
• Rapidly increasing head circumference
  –May be accompanied by increased intracranial pressure, developmental delay, spasticity, and thinning of the cortical mantle
• Plagiocephaly
  –Fitted shaping helmets are controversial
  –Effective if used before osseous closure of sutures
• Indications for cranial vault/suture release surgery
  –Relief of hydrocephalus or increased intracranial pressure
  –Improvement in the appearance of the head

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Pediculosis: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Lindane, pyrethrin, permethrin, and malathion, in shampoo or lotion preparations, are all effective against lice. Shampoos should be applied to the infected skin or hair, lathered, then washed off in 5 minutes. Lotions should be applied over the entire affected area, then washed off after 10 minutes. Treatments should be repeated in 7 to 10 days.

Permethrin may be used for treating head lice. Saturate the hair and scalp and rinse after 10 minutes. Malathion lotion is also effective when applied to dry hair and washed out in 8 to 10 hours. After treatment, all nits (louse eggs) should be combed out of the hair with a metal nit comb. Nit removal may be aided by pre-rinsing with a pre-rinse solution containing formic acid, or dipping the comb in vinegar. Normal laundering of clothes and bedclothes in hot water after treatment is sufficient to remove adult lice as well as nits.

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Pediculosis: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

The type of pediculosis dictates the treatment.

Pediculosis capitis

Treatment consists of permethrin cream rinse rubbed into the hair and rinsed after 10 minutes. A single treatment should be sufficient. Alternatives include pyrethrins and lindane shampoo.

CLINICAL TIP: A fine-tooth comb dipped in vinegar removes nits from hair; washing hair with ordinary shampoo removes crustations.

Pediculosis corporis

Pediculosis corporis requires bathing with soap and water to remove lice from the body; in severe infestation, treatment with lindane cream may be necessary. Lice may be removed from clothes by washing them in hot water, ironing, or dry cleaning. Storing clothes for more than 30 days or placing them in dry heat of 140° F (60° C) kills lice. If clothes can’t be washed or changed, the application of 10% lindane powder is effective.

Pediculosis pubis

Treatment of pediculosis pubis includes shampooing with lindane shampoo for 4 minutes. Treatment should be repeated in 1 week. Clothes and bedsheets must be laundered to prevent reinfestation.

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Medications used to treat Head lice:

Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Head lice include:

• Lindane
• Hexit
• PMS-Lindane
• Herklin Shampoo
• Scabisan
• Malathion
• Ovide
• Pyrethrins and piperonyl Butoxide
• A-200 Maximum Strength
• Pronto
• Pyrinyl Plus
• RID Maximum Strength
• Tisit
• Tisit Blue Gel
• Pronto Lice Control
• R & C II
• R & C Shampoo/Conditioner
• RID Mousse
• Maldison
• Lice Rid

Discussion of treatments for Head lice:

Treating Head Lice: DPD (Excerpt)

How can I treat a head lice infestation?

By treating the infested person, any other infested family members, and by cleaning clothing and bedding. 

Step 1: Treat the infested person/any infested family members

Requires using an OTC or prescription medication. Follow these treatment steps:

1. Before applying treatment, remove all clothing from the waist up.
2. Apply lice medicine, also called pediculicide (peh-DICK-you-luh-side), according to label instructions. If your child has extra long hair, you may need to use a second bottle.
   
   WARNING: Do not use a creme rinse or combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice medicine. Do not re-wash hair for 1-2 days after treatment.
3. Have the infested person put on clean clothing after treatment.
4. If some live lice are still found 8-12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not retreat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair. The medicine sometimes takes longer to kill the lice.
5. If no dead lice are found 8-12 hours after treatment and lice seem as active as before, the medicine may not be working. See your health care provider for a different medication and follow their treatment instructions.
6. A nit comb should be used to remove nits and lice from the hair shaft. Many flea combs made for cats and dogs are also effective. Finer-toothed nit combs, available through Wal-Med* and the National Pediculosis Association*, may also be helpful.
7. After treatment, check hair every 2-3 days and use a nit comb to remove any nits or lice you see. 
8. Retreat in 7-10 days. 
9. Check all treated persons for 2-3 weeks after you think that all lice and nits are gone. 

Step 2: Treat the household

1. To kill lice and nits, machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens that the infested person touched during the 2 days before treatment. Use the hot water cycle (130o F) to wash clothes. Dry laundry using the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes
2. Dry clean clothing that is not washable, (coats, hats, scarves, etc.) OR 
3. Store all clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc., that cannot be washed or dry cleaned into a plastic bag and seal for 2 weeks.
4. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol, Lysol*, or wash with soap and hot (130o F) water. 
5. Vacuum the floor and furniture. Do not use fumigant sprays; they can be toxic if inhaled.

My child has head lice. I don't. Should I treat myself to prevent being infested?

No, although anyone living with an infested person can get head lice. Have another person check the back and sides of your head for lice and nits. Check family members for lice and nits every
2-3 days. Treat only if crawling lice or nits are found within a 1/4 inch of the scalp. (Source: excerpt from Treating Head Lice: DPD)

Treating Head Lice: DPD (Excerpt)

My child is under 2 years old and has been diagnosed with head lice. Can I treat him or her with prescription or OTC drugs?

No. For children under 2 years old, remove crawling bugs and nits by hand. If the problem persists, consult your pediatrician. (Source: excerpt from Treating Head Lice: DPD)

Treating Head Lice: DPD (Excerpt)

What OTC medications are available to treat
head lice?

Many head lice medications are available at your local drug store. Each OTC product contains one of the following active ingredients.

1. Pyrethrins (pie-WREATH-rins): often combined with piperonyl butoxide (pie-PER-a-nil beu-TOX-side): 
   Brand name products: A-200*, Pronto*, R&C*, Rid*, Triple X* Pyrethrins are natural extracts from the chrysanthemum flower. Though safe and effective, pyrethrins only kill crawling lice, not unhatched nits. A second treatment is recommended in 7- 10 days to kill any newly hatched lice. Sometimes the treatment does not work.
2. Permethrin (per-meth-rin):
   Brand name product: Nix*
   Permethrins are similar to natural pyrethrins. Permethrins are safe and effective and may continue to kill newly hatched eggs for several days after treatment. A second treatment may be necessary in 7-10 days to kill any newly hatched lice. Sometimes the treatment does not work.
   
   Note: If OTC permethrin (1%) does not effectively kill crawling bugs, prescription- strength (5%) permethrin will not be any more effective. If lice are resistant to 1%, they
   will also be resistant to 5% permethrin.

What are the prescription drugs used to treat head lice? 

Malathion (Ovide *): Malathion has just been reapproved for the treatment of head lice infestations. When used as directed, malathion is very effective in treating lice and nits. Few side-effects have been reported. Malathion may sting if applied to open sores on the scalp caused by scratching. Therefore, do not use if excessive scratching has caused a large number of open sores on the head.

Lindane (Kwell*): Lindane is one of the most common treatments used to treat head lice. When used as directed, the drug is usually safe. Overuse, misuse, or accidentally swallowing of
Lindane can be toxic to the brain and nervous system. Lindane should not be used if excessive scratching has caused open sores on the head. 

Which head lice medicine is best for me?

If you aren't sure, ask your pharmacist or health care provider. When using medicine, always follow the instructions.

When treating head lice

1. Do not use extra amounts of the lice medication unless instructed. Drugs are insecticides and can be dangerous when misused or overused. 
2. Do not treat the infested person more than 3 times with the same medication if it does not seem to work. See your health care provider for alternative medication.
3. Do not mix head lice medications.

Should household sprays be used to kill adult lice?

No. Spraying the house is NOT recommended. Fumigants and room sprays can be toxic if inhaled.

Should I have a pest control company spray my house?

No. Vacuuming floors and furniture is enough to treat the household. (Source: excerpt from Treating Head Lice: DPD)

Treating Head Lice with Malathion: DPD (Excerpt)

Malathion (Ovide^* lotion) was re-approved Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a prescription drug for the treatment of head lice infestation in the United States. Follow the directions below to treat a head lice-infestation in your home. (Source: excerpt from Treating Head Lice with Malathion: DPD)

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