Influence of the formulations in removing eggs of Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae)

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

PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2014 vol. 113 p. 3439 - 3444

0932-0113

 Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera, Anoplura) or head lice lay eggs in order to reproduce. These eggs are attached to the hair by a sort of cement.  The physical removal of eggs has become an important part of treatment of louse infestations.  The finding of new products to loosen the eggs is necessary to avoid mistaken diagnosis or reinfestations. However, there are a lot of over-the-counter products with no egg remover effect due to the use of wrong active ingredients based on false theoretical basis. This work aimed to compare different kinds of pediculicide formulations in order to see if their presentations represented differences in the egg remover effect. We also wanted to present a new homemade device to test the efficacy of these egg removers. Products with creamy presentations and containing dimethicone showed good removal activity.  Hydro alcoholic and gel presentations didn´t perform as egg removal agents.