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.

Abstract

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).

METHOD:

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).

CONCLUSION:

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

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

The study was entered into the Australian/New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, ACTRN12610000179033.

• Authors: Stephen C Barker, Phillip M Altman
• Journal: BMC dermatology (BMC Dermatol) Vol. 10 Pg. 6 (Aug 20 2010) ISSN: 1471-5945 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20727129 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local
• Insecticides
• Oils, Volatile
• Pesticide Synergists
• Plant Oils
• Pyrethrins
• Tea Tree Oil
• Piperonyl Butoxide
• lavender oil

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Infective Agents, Local (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Asphyxia
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Insecticides (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Lavandula
• Lice Infestations (drug therapy)
• Oils, Volatile (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Pediculus (drug effects)
• Pesticide Synergists (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Piperonyl Butoxide (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Plant Oils (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Pyrethrins (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Tea Tree Oil (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Treatment Outcome