Win the Fight Against Head Lice without Toxic Chemicals
by: Bruce Schennum, M.A.

Head lice are nasty, itchy, and contagious. But the drugs used to get rid of the lice may be even worse. Among the reactions to lice treatments: seizures, attention deficit disorders, chronic skin eruptions, brain tumors, cancer and death.

Close to 70% of the reported serious reactions to lice medications (pediculicides) were associated with the dangerous chemical Lindane (brand name - Kwell). Pyrethrins (brand names: Rid, Pronto, etc.) and permethrin (Nix) were responsible for most of the remaining incidents.

New labeling requirements warn parents that lindane can cause neuro-toxicity, and FDA recommends that lindane only be used in cases where other treatments are ineffective.

Lice treatments ineffective
Unfortunately, lice treatment failures are increasing in frequency. 'Schools are currently dealing with an overwhelming number of families who have reported failure of currently available treatments for head lice,' says Patty Mancuso, RN. Dr. Sanford Mathews believes head lice have become drug resistant. 'Lice have developed an appetite for the various remedies and are having them for lunch,' says the doctor.

And according to doctors, reactions to lice treatments seem to be increasing in frequency. Why? The traditional pyrethrin shampoos contain 1% or less pyrethrins. Unfortunately, head lice seem to be developing a resistance to pyrethrins, leading physicians and parents to treat lice with stronger (and more dangerous) preparations.

Pyrethrin formulas with 5% concentrations of pyrethrins are now prescribed, and some physicians are recommending leaving pyrethrin shampoos on for 1-2 hours instead of the 10 minutes suggested on most labels. Stronger products and increased time of exposure makes toxic reactions far more likely.

Of course, if the failure of pyrethrin products leads to the use of a lindane based pediculicide, the danger is further increased.

Natural Remedy to the Rescue
New test results from Israel suggest that a safe, natural preparation made from essential plant oils and isopropyl alcohol may be less toxic and more effective than pyrethrin based pediculicides.

Marketed in Israel as Chick-Chack, and in the U.S. as HairClear 1-2-3, this natural product has proven 100% effective in killing head lice for up to two days after application. HairClear has also proven effective at helping to remove nits (eggs) from the hair.

'Safety and efficacy were our primary concerns,' said Dr. Kosta Mumcuoglu, who did scientific testing on the product. 'We feel this preparation is very safe, and it may be more effective than pyrethrin or permethrin based products now that lice are developing resistance to these products.'

HairClear is not an FDA approved pediculicide in the U.S., so Quantum, is marketing it as a cosmetic shampoo. 'We're counting on news stories and word of mouth advertising to inform consumers about HairClear,' says Quantum president Eve McClure. 'We feel that most parents are concerned about their children's health, and don't want them to put neuro-toxins on their head.'

What to Do About Head LIce
Head lice are small, wing-less bugs about the size of tiny ants. They are difficult to see. They live on human blood and lay hard, whitish nits (eggs).

According to the Northgate Medical Center in Seattle, parents who suspect their children have lice should make sure the problem is properly diagnosed. If the child has lice, parents should:

• Keep your child home untiltreated.
• Examine all other family members.
• Use a pediculicide shampoo. Follow the directions carefully.
• Remove the nits with a fine toothed comb.
• Launder clothing and bedding in hot water.
• Vacuum sofas and chairs.
• Soak combs, brushes and barettes in hot water for 15 minutes.

Use Pediculicides Safely
The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) is an organization which focuses on helping to prevent tragedies associated with the misuse of harmful lice and scabies treatments.

The NPA established a national registry for serious toxic reactions to lice treatments. In the first year, they received 450 reports of serious adverse reactions. The NPA has published some guidelines on how to protect yourself against both lice and pediculicides.

• Discontinue use of a product at the first sign of treatment failure. Repeated use or trying another brand can lead to overexposure and toxicity.
• Never resort to dangerous remedies such as lindane, kerosene or pet shampoos.
• Never use lice sprays.
• Manual removal of lice and nits is essential.
• Check your children often.

The advent of new, natural lice shampoos promises to make getting rid of head lice safer and easier. But prevention and common sense are still vital to preventing and managing lice outbreaks.

Lindane: Deadly Lice Lotion
Lindane is the active ingredient in products such as Kwell, Bio-Well, Kwellada, Kwildane, and others. It is a powerful neuro-toxin. Facts about lindane include:

• In 1976 the FDA issued an alert regarding the potential harmful effects of lindane.
• Lindane is described by its manufacturer as a powerful contact and internal poison.
• In 1990 and 1993 NPA president Deborah Altschuler testified in legal suits on behalf of children permanently disabled after use of lindane.
• Lindane has been banned in 18 countries and severely restricted in 10 others.
• The risks of lindane are well documented in peer-reviewed medical literature, in FDA's lindane docket, in the profile of the Agency for Toxic Substances, and in the Drug Registry.

Despite all of the well documented risks surrounding lindane use, the drug is still widely prescribed. It is used by young children, nursing mothers, pregnant women, and the elderly. It is reimbursable by Medicaid.

With safer pediculicides available, many experts advise never using lindane to get rid of head lice.

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