title: Single blind, randomised, comparative study of the Bug Buster kit and over the counter pediculicide treatments against head lice in the United Kingdom.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of the Bug Buster kit with a single treatment of over the counter pediculicides for eliminating head lice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single blind, multicentre, randomised, comparative clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four counties in England and one county in Scotland.
  
  
  METHODS
  133 young people aged 2-15 years with head louse infestation: 56 were allocated to the Bug Buster kit and 70 to pediculicide treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Home use of proprietary pediculicides (organophosphate or pyrethroid) or the Bug Buster kit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Presence of head lice 2-4 days after end of treatment: day 5 for the pediculicides and day 15 for the Bug Buster kit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cure rate using the Bug Buster kit was significantly greater than that for the pediculicides (57% v 13%; relative risk 4.4, 95% confidence interval 2.3 to 8.5). Number needed to treat for the Bug Buster kit compared with the pediculicides was 2.26.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Bug Buster kit was the most effective over the counter treatment for head louse infestation in the community when compared with pediculicides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT. nigel.hill@lshtm.ac.uk
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moor
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butlin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Preston
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bass
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007223:Infant; D007306:Insecticides; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008294:Malathion; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010374:Pediculus; D026023:Permethrin; D012307:Risk Factors; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006203:Hair Preparations; D007306:Insecticides; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D026023:Permethrin; D008294:Malathion