Single blind, randomised, comparative study of the Bug Buster kit and over the counter pediculicide treatments against head lice in the United Kingdom.

Author(s): Hill N, Moor G, Cameron MM, Butlin A, Preston S, Williamson MS, Bass C

Affiliation(s): Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT. nigel.hill@lshtm.ac.uk

Publication date & source: 2005-08-13, BMJ., 331(7513):384-7. Epub 2005 Aug 5.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of the Bug Buster kit with a single treatment of over the counter pediculicides for eliminating head lice. DESIGN: Single blind, multicentre, randomised, comparative clinical study. SETTING: Four counties in England and one county in Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: 133 young people aged 2-15 years with head louse infestation: 56 were allocated to the Bug Buster kit and 70 to pediculicide treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Home use of proprietary pediculicides (organophosphate or pyrethroid) or the Bug Buster kit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Presence of head lice 2-4 days after end of treatment: day 5 for the pediculicides and day 15 for the Bug Buster kit. RESULTS: The cure rate using the Bug Buster kit was significantly greater than that for the pediculicides (57% v 13%; relative risk 4.4, 95% confidence interval 2.3 to 8.5). Number needed to treat for the Bug Buster kit compared with the pediculicides was 2.26. CONCLUSION: The Bug Buster kit was the most effective over the counter treatment for head louse infestation in the community when compared with pediculicides.