Clinical trial showing superiority of a coconut and anise spray over permethrin
0.43% lotion for head louse infestation, ISRCTN96469780.
Author(s): Burgess IF, Brunton ER, Burgess NA.
Affiliation(s): Medical Entomology Centre, Insect Research & Development Limited, 6 Quy Court,
Colliers Lane, Stow-cum-Quy, Cambridge CB25 9AU, UK. ian@insectresearch.com
Publication date & source: 2010, Eur J Pediatr. , 169(1):55-62
Permethrin is the most widely used pediculicide, but evidence of resistance from
several countries and anecdotal reports from Germany suggest that permethrin
lotion is now less effective. We designed a randomized, controlled, parallel
group trial involving 100 participants with active head louse infestation to
investigate the activity of a coconut and anise spray and to see whether
permethrin lotion is still effective, using two applications of product 9 days
apart. The spray was significantly more successful (41/50, 82.0%) cures compared
with permethrin (21/50, 42.0%; p < 0.0001, difference 40.0%, 95% confidence
interval of 22.5% to 57.5%). Per-protocol success was 83.3% and 44.7%,
respectively. Thirty-three people reported irritant reactions following alcohol
contact with excoriated skin. We concluded that, although permethrin lotion is
still effective for some people, the coconut and anise spray can be a
significantly more effective alternative treatment.
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