Efficacy of products to remove eggs of Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) from the human hair.
Head lice infestations are very common in children aged between 3 and 12 yr old. The eggs of the head louse are difficult to remove and remain firmly attached to the hair even after any head louse treatment. Solid in vitro and in vivo evidence to support the use of any of the proposed products to facilitate nit removal is scarce. The objective of the current study was to determine the efficacy of several products to remove eggshells from human hair using an objective measurement procedure. Water and ordinary hair conditioner significantly facilitated the removal of nits in vitro. We found no difference between ordinary conditioner and products specifically marketed for the purpose of nit removal. Other products such as formic acid solution and almond oil did not have a beneficial effect.
Hilde
H
Lapeere
Lieve
L
Brochez
Evelien
E
Verhaeghe
Robert H Vander
RH
Stichele
Jean-Paul
JP
Remon
Jo
J
Lambert
Luc
L
Leybaert
D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D005561:Formates; D006197:Hair; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006801:Humans; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000628:therapy*; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010063:Ovum; D010374:Pediculus; D010938:Plant Oils; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000628:therapy*; D014867:Water
D005561:Formates; D006203:Hair Preparations; D010938:Plant Oils; D014867:Water; C030544:formic acid; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; C068582:almond oil; D008747:Methylcellulose