Comparative efficacy of topical dimethicone and permethrin for the treatment of head lice infestation in students

Authors

  • Behroz Davari School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Somayeh Barik - Abi School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Hassan Nasirian School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran and Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Amir Hossein Zahirnia School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Younes Mohammadi School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Aref Salehzadeh School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran

Keywords:

Dimethicone, head lice, Pediculus capitis, permethrin

Abstract

Background: Despite improved living conditions, individual health and health indicators in human societies, head lice infestation continues to be a major health problem. Therefore, studying the efficacy of drugs and identifying treatment - resistant cases in the prevention and elimination of this disease is of particular importance.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the efficacy of dimethicone and permethrin in infected pupils in elementary schools for girls.

Methods: This study was conducted on primary schoolgirls infected with head lice in Doroud County, Lorestan-Iran. The eighty infected girls were detected and randomized into two groups receiving any of the treatments listed. By the end of second week, the efficacy of the drugs was determined.

Results: The efficacy of dimethicone and permethrin after treatment were 82.6% and 54.7%, respectively, for removing head lice at the end of two weeks. In other words, the efficacy of dimethicone was 27.9% higher than permethrin. The Chi-square test at the end of the first week, there were no significant differences between the treatment groups (P = 0.065). The outcomes of dimethicone treatment at the end of the second week (P = 0.025) and generally at the end of two weeks (P = 0.006) were more effective than permethrin.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that dimethicone is useful in the treatment of head lice compared to permethrin.

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Published

2023-06-06 — Updated on 2023-06-06

How to Cite

1.
Davari B, Barik - Abi S, Nasirian H, Hossein Zahirnia A, Mohammadi Y, Salehzadeh A. Comparative efficacy of topical dimethicone and permethrin for the treatment of head lice infestation in students. Chula Med J [Internet]. 2023 Jun. 6 [cited 2024 Oct. 12];67(3). Available from: https://he05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/CMJ/article/view/21