Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety of a New Treatment for Head Lice

Abstract

Infestation with head lice is a widespread, persistent, and recurring issue leading to serious health problems if untreated. We are facing resistance phenomena to usual pediculicides and questions about their direct or cumulative toxicity. The aim of this trial was to assess the efficacy of a new product, free of chemical insecticides but with a physical effect. This product contains components whose antilice efficacy has already been demonstrated, as well as Andiroba oil which asphyxiates the lice and Quassia vinegar which dissolves the chitin of the nits (they are then inactivated). 30 patients with head lice infestation, aged 3–39 years, applied the treatment one to three times, 5 days apart. Cure was defined as the absence of live lice after 5, 10, or 14 days, and symptoms are usually associated with infestation. Easiness and safety of the treatment were assessed by the patients and/or their parents. Overall cure rates were 20% on D5 after one treatment, 37% on D10 after two treatments, and 90% on D14 after three treatments. Symptoms such as itch, scalp dryness, redness, and flakiness rapidly diminished. This treatment seems to be a beneficial addition or a valuable alternative to existing treatments, considering the total absence of chemical insecticides, the absence of drug-resistance induction in head lice, the absence of major toxicological risks compared with usual pediculicides, and the favourable patient use instructions.

Novel Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiparasitic Activities of <i>Quassia amara</i> Wood Extract

“…The amoebicide activity of various quassinoids was also demonstrated in modern trials [3,4]. The efficacy of Quassia extract in pediculosis is also largely corroborated in various published studies [14][15][16]. These data permit to suggest that Quassia amara may be a first-line candidate in our armamentarium of antiparasitic vegetal active ingredients.…”

“…In dermatological applications, it is frequently used in lice infestation [14][15][16], rosacea [17] and seborrheic dermatitis [18]. In the present work we intend to describe the effects of Quassia amara wood extract on various parasites, bacteria and fungi that may be the causative agents of disorders affecting the skin and mucosae.…”

The Effect of Pyrethrum Extract and Natural Essential Oils on Head Lice: In Vitro Test and Clinical Evidence

“…Previous studies have been illustrated the efficacy of permethr into control head lice was nearly 100%, but recent studies have been reported that this efficacy has decreased up to 50%. This phenomenon also was seen after using different kind of chemical drugs, and several resistance mechanisms have been reported (24). Lindane also is the most common treatment of head lice which caused several cases of severe seizures in children (18)…”

Safety, Efficacy, and Physicochemical Characterization of Tinospora crispa Ointment: A Community-Based Formulation against Pediculus humanus capitis

“…As a result, lice experience suffocation and expire. Permethrin, is one of the most extensively used pediculicide available in the market due to its great efficacy and wide margin of safety [ 34 ]. In the experiment, a small percentage of the lice treated with permethrin were still active after 180 min observation period.…”