Research coming out of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has found the most powerful weapon in an ongoing war against Pediculosis capitis: the comb. From today’s press release:
Old-fashioned methods of getting rid of head lice in children are far more effective than current chemical treatments, researchers revealed yesterday (FRI).
Using a fine-tooth comb and conditioner on wet hair was four times more effective than popular chemical-based treatments like lotions and shampoo.
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) researcher Dr Nigel Hill said: “Millions of pounds are spent each year by desperate parents or through NHS prescriptions on lice treatments and many seem to be virtually useless.
“It’s clear insecticide treatments are not working very well at all and if you speak to parents and school nurses they will confirm that…”
The research team at LSHTM tested the “bug busting” fine tooth comb method and chemical treatments in a group of 126 children with head lice.
A total of 56 were allocated the comb-and-conditioner “Bug Buster” kit, while 70 were given insecticide-based treatments. The results were assessed two to four days after the end of treatment.
Questionnaires to determine compliance with the instructions, satisfaction and to obtain background information were also filled out by parents. The results are published in this week’s edition of the prestigious British Medical Journal.
The “Bug Buster” treatment showed a 57 percent success rate compared to just 13 percent for insecticide treatment.
The press release…