Contributed by William Angelos| 05 August, 2005 17:29 GMT
Though much better than chemical alternatives, the Bug Buster's cure rate of only 57% may not be good enough to consider the method an effective treatment against head lice.
While they acknowledge that there is no product that is fully effective in eliminating head lice, researchers have concluded that
fine combing of wet hair works much better than current over-the-counter chemical treatments, according to a study published online today by BMJ.
Current treatments for head lice -- tiny parasites that mainly cause grief to schoolchildren, parents and teachers -- include over-the-counter insecticide products or fine-tooth combing of wet hair using a specially developed "Bug Buster" kit.
Chemical resistance to the insecticides has been a problem, though, and wet combing -- prior to this study -- was considered unproven.
Four Times More Effective
The study included 126 young people with head-louse infestation: 56 were assigned to use the Bug Buster kit and 70 to get insecticide treatments. Presence of head lice was assessed 2-4 days after the end of treatment.
The participants also completed questionnaires to determine compliance and satisfaction with the treatments and to obtain background information.
The Bug Buster kit was four times more effective than chemical products for eliminating head lice (57% cure rate versus 13%), the authors report, suggesting that the kit is a viable alternative to over-the-counter insecticide treatments.
Still Not Good Enough?
Though much better than chemical alternatives, the Bug Buster's cure rate of only 57% may not be good enough to consider the method an effective treatment against head lice, the authors acknowledge.
There is an urgent need to identify safe, novel insecticides of proved efficacy, they conclude.
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