Treatment of Pediculosis Capitis: A Critical Appraisal of the Current Literature

Pediculosis capitis is the most common ectoparasitic disease in children in industrialized countries and extremely common in resource-poor communities of the developing world. The extensive use of pediculicides with a neurotoxic mode of action has led to the development and spread of resistant head...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of clinical dermatology 2014-10, Vol.15 (5), p.401-412
Main Author: Feldmeier, Hermann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Child
Dermatology
Global Health
Humans
Insecticide Resistance
Insecticides - therapeutic use
Lice Infestations - drug therapy
Lice Infestations - epidemiology
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Pediculus
Pharmacology/Toxicology
Pharmacotherapy
Review Article
Scalp Dermatoses - drug therapy
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Summary:Pediculosis capitis is the most common ectoparasitic disease in children in industrialized countries and extremely common in resource-poor communities of the developing world. The extensive use of pediculicides with a neurotoxic mode of action has led to the development and spread of resistant head lice populations all over the world. This triggered the development of compounds with other modes of action. The current literature on treatment approaches of head lice infestation was searched, and published randomized controlled trials were critically analyzed. The following compounds/family of compounds were identified: spinosad, a novel compound with a new neurotoxic mode of action, isopropyl myristate, 1,2-octanediol, ivermectin, plant-based products, and dimeticones. The efficacy and safety of these compounds are reviewed and recommendations for the treatment of pediculosis capitis in individuals as well as the interruption of ongoing epidemics are provided.
ISSN:1175-0561
1179-1888
DOI:10.1007/s40257-014-0094-4