Control of head lice with a coconut-derived emulsion shampoo.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a novel coconut-derived emulsion (CDE) shampoo against head lice infestation in children.


METHODS
A school trial in which pupils were treated on days 0 and 7 and checked on days 8 and 15 and a family trial where product was applied by parents three times in 2 weeks or used as a cosmetic shampoo and checked on days 14 and days 70.


METHODS
UK schools in Bristol and Western-super-Mare and families in Northern Somerset.


METHODS
Numbers of children free from infestation after treatment.


RESULTS
In the school trial, percentage cures at day 8 were 14% (permethrin, n=7) and 61% (CDE, n=37). In the family trial where all family members were treated, cure rate was 96% (n=28), and if the shampoo was subsequently used as a cosmetic shampoo, only 1 of 12 children became re-infested after 10 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
CDE shampoo is a novel effective method of controlling head lice and used after treatment as a cosmetic shampoo can aid in the reduction of re-infestation.
Connolly
M
M
Department of Dermatology, Bristol Dermatology Centre, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK.
Stafford
K A
KA
Coles
G C
GC
Kennedy
C T C
CT
Downs
A M R
AM
D002648:Child; D003059:Cocos; D004655:Emulsions; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006801:Humans; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000628:therapy*; D026023:Permethrin; D006113:United Kingdom
D004655:Emulsions; D006203:Hair Preparations; D026023:Permethrin