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

ISABEL ORTEGA-INSAURRALDE ; ARIEL CEFERINO TOLOZA; MARÍA INÉS PICOLLO; PAOLA GONZALEZ-AUDINO MARı´A INE´S PICOLLO ANABELLA GALLARDO ARIEL TOLOZA CLAUDIA VASSENA GASTO´N MOUGABURE-CUETO

Park City, Utah

Congreso; 5º International Conference on Phthiraptera 2014; 2014

University of Utah

Pediculus humanus capitis attach eggs (nits) to the hair by a sort of ?cement?. The physical removal of nits has become an important part of the treatment of louse infestations.  The development of new products to loosen the nits is necessary to avoid mistaken diagnosis or reinfestations. However, there are a lot of over-the-counter products with no nit remover effect due to the use of wrong active ingredients or formulations. This work aims to compare different kinds of pediculicide formulations in order to see if their presentations produce differences in the nit remover effect. Hairs with head louse nits were collected from infested children from 6 to 12 years old in schools of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our device consists in a kind of weighting scale that let us measure the weight required to cause nits to slide along hair shafts. The set-up includes a small metal plate; an aluminium container, little scales, a stand and a holder. We tested three different formulations of Argentinian over-the-counter commercial products: gel, cream and a hydro-alcoholic presentations. Besides, we use an international silicone- based pediculicide and every day-use-products such as the well-known vinegar and hair conditioner. We found that those products with creamy presentations showed better nit remover effect than the rest. We also found that vinegar is a good nit remover as well as a product containing dimethicone.