A randomised, assessor blind, parallel group comparative efficacy trial of three products for the treatment of head lice in children--melaleuca oil and lavender oil, pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, and a "suffocation" product.
BACKGROUND
There are many different types of pediculicides available OTC in Australia. In this study we compare the efficacy and safety of three topical pediculicides: a pediculicide containing melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) and lavender oil (TTO/LO); a head lice "suffocation" product; and a product containing pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide (P/PB).


METHODS
This study was a randomised, assessor-blind, comparative, parallel study of 123 subjects with live head lice. The head lice products were applied according to the manufacturer's instructions (the TTO/LO product and the "suffocation" product were applied three times at weekly intervals according to manufacturers instructions (on Day 0, Day 7 and Day 14) and the P/PB product was applied twice according to manufacturers instructions (on Day 0 and Day 7)). The presence or absence of live lice one day following the last treatment was determined.


RESULTS
The percentage of subjects who were louse-free one day after the last treatment with the product containing tea tree oil and lavender oil (41/42; 97.6%) and the head lice "suffocation" product (40/41, 97.6%) was significantly higher compared to the percentage of subjects who were louse-free one day after the last treatment with the product containing pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide (10/40, 25.0%; adj. p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The high efficacy of the TTO/LO product and the head lice "suffocation" product offers an alternative to the pyrethrins-based product.


BACKGROUND
The study was entered into the Australian/New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, ACTRN12610000179033.
Barker
Stephen C
SC
Parasitology Section, School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, and UniQuest Pty, Ltd,, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia. s.barker@uq.edu.au
Altman
Phillip M
PM
D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001237:Asphyxia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D027523:Lavandula; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010374:Pediculus / Q000187:drug effects*; D010574:Pesticide Synergists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010882:Piperonyl Butoxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D007306:Insecticides; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010574:Pesticide Synergists; D010938:Plant Oils; D011722:Pyrethrins; D020947:Tea Tree Oil; D010882:Piperonyl Butoxide; C045718:lavender oil