Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Head Lice

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Head Lice

• Head lice are tiny insects that feed on blood from the human scalp.

Explanation:

• An infestation of head lice most often affects children.
• It usually results from the direct transfer of lice from the hair of one person to another.
• Symptoms include itching, lice on scalp, lice eggs on hair shafts, and sores on the scalp, neck, and shoulders.
• Treatment options include Permethrin (Nix) and Pyrethrin (Rid) as OTC options and prescription medicines such as Ivermectin (Sklice), Spinosad (Natroba) and Malathion.
• Other alternative options would be wet-combing, essential oils, smothering agents, and dehydration applied to skin.

Reference:

• Head lice - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
• head lice image - Google Search