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

Alternative Treatments for Head lice

Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Head lice may include:

• White vinegar rinse
• Vinegar and olive oil
• Mayonnaise overnight
• more treatments »

Head lice: Research Doctors & Specialists

• Child Health Specialists (Pediatrics):
  • Pediatrics (Child Health Specialist)
  • Adolescent Medicine (Teen Health)
  • Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
  • Pediatric / Adolescent Psychiatry (Child/Teen Mental Health)
  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (Child Allergies / Immune Diseases)
  • Pediatric Cardiology (Child Heart Specialists)
  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Pediatric Dentistry (Child Dental Health)
  • Pediatric Dermatology (Child Skin Health)
  • Pediatric Developmental Behavioral Health (Child Behavior)
  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Pediatric Endocrinology (Child Hormones)
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology (Child Digestive Specialists)
  • Pediatric Hematology / Oncology
  • Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
  • Pediatric Medical Toxicology (Child Poisoning)
  • Pediatric Nephrology (Child Kidney Specialists)
  • Pediatric Neurology (Child Brain Specialists)
  • Pediatric Neurosurgery (Child Brain Surgeon)
• more specialists...»

Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Drugs and Medications used to treat Head lice:

Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, 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

Latest treatments for Head lice:

The following are some of the latest treatments for Head lice:

• Nit comb
• Lindane
• Permethrin
• Pyrethrin
• Trimethoprim
• Sulfamethoxazole
• Shave head

Hospital statistics for Head lice:

These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Head lice:

• 0.0009% (113) of hospital consultant episodes were for pediculosis and phthiriasis in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
• 94% of hospital consultant episodes for pediculosis and phthiriasis required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
• 12% of hospital consultant episodes for pediculosis and phthiriasis were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
• 88% of hospital consultant episodes for pediculosis and phthiriasis were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
• more hospital information...»

Hospitals & Medical Clinics: Head lice

Research quality ratings and patient incidents/safety measures for hospitals and medical facilities in specialties related to Head lice:

• Child Health (Pediatrics) -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• more hospital ratings...»

Hospital & Clinic quality ratings »

Choosing the Best Treatment Hospital: More general information, not necessarily in relation to Head lice, on hospital and medical facility performance and surgical care quality:

• 50 Best Hospitals Report
• Women's Health Best Hospitals
• Patient Safety
• Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence Study (2009)

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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