The in vivo pediculicidal efficacy of a natural remedy.
BACKGROUND
Head louse infestations are prevalent worldwide. Over the past 20-25 years, 15-20% of all children in Israel between 4 and 13 years of age have been infested with head lice. This is mainly due to the existence of ineffective pediculicides on the market.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the pediculicidal efficacy and safety of a natural remedy ("Chick-Chack") and to compare it in an open clinical study with a known pesticide spray.


METHODS
The natural remedy, which contains coconut oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil, was applied to the hair of infested children three times at 5 day intervals. Each treatment lasted for 15 minutes. The control pediculicide was a spray formulation containing permethrin, malathion, piperonyl butoxide, isododecane and propellant gas, which was applied twice for 10 minutes with a 10 day interval between applications.


RESULTS
Of 940 children, aged 6-14 years, from six schools in Jerusalem who were examined for head louse infestation, 199 (21.2%) were infested with lice and eggs, while 164 (17.4%) were infested only with nits. Altogether, 119 children were randomly treated with either the natural remedy or the control product. Treatment was successful with the natural remedy in 60 children (92.3%) and with the control pediculicide in 59 children (92.2%). There were no significant side effects associated with either formulation.


CONCLUSIONS
The natural remedy was very effective in controlling louse infestations under clinical conditions and caused no serious side effects.
Mumcuoglu
Kosta Y
KY
Department of Parasitology, Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel. kostam@cc.huji.ac.il
Miller
Jacqueline
J
Zamir
Chen
C
Zentner
Gary
G
Helbin
Valery
V
Ingber
Arieh
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D000074263:Coconut Oil; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008294:Malathion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010374:Pediculus; D026023:Permethrin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010574:Pesticide Synergists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028042:Pimpinella; D010882:Piperonyl Butoxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D004338:Drug Combinations; D007306:Insecticides; D010574:Pesticide Synergists; D010938:Plant Oils; D026023:Permethrin; D010882:Piperonyl Butoxide; D000074263:Coconut Oil; D008294:Malathion