Influence of the type of formulation in removing nits of Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculicidae)

ISABEL ORTEGA-INSAURRALDE; ARIEL CEFERINO TOLOZA.; MARIA INES PICOLLO; CLAUDIA VASSENA

Utah

Conferencia; 5º International Conference on Phthiraptera 2014; 2014

Pediculus humanuscapitis attach eggs (nits) to the hair by a cement. The physical removal of nits has become an important part of the treatmentof louse infestations.  The development ofnew products to loosen the nits is necessary to avoid mistaken diagnosis orreinfestations. However, there are a lot of over-the-counter products with nonit remover effect due to the use of wrong active ingredients or formulations. This work aims to compare different kinds ofpediculicide formulations in order to see if their presentations producedifferences in the nit remover effect. Hairs with head louse nits werecollected from infested children from 6 to 12 years old in schools of BuenosAires, Argentina. Our device consists in a kind of weighting scale that let usmeasure the weight required to cause nits to slide along hair shafts. Theset-up includes a small metal plate; an aluminium container, little scales, astand and a holder. We tested three different formulations of Argentinian over-the-countercommercial products: gel, cream and a hydro-alcoholic presentations. Besides,we use an international silicone- based pediculicide and every day-use-productssuch as the well-known vinegar and hair conditioner. We found that thoseproducts with creamy presentations showed better nit remover effect than therest. We also found that vinegar is a good nit remover as well as a productcontaining dimethicone.