Article Text
Articles
Does dimeticone clear head lice?
Relevant BNF section: 13.10.4
Abstract
Head lice infestation is common and mainly affects children of primary school age.1 Treatments include licensed topical preparations containing conventional chemical insecticides and medical devices. Each of these fail to eradicate head lice in some patients2–7 and resistance is a problem with chemical insecticides.2,3,8–10 Dimeticone 4% lotion (Hedrin – Thornton & Ross) is a new treatment licensed “for the eradication of head lice infestations”.11 Here we consider its place in the context of other options.