Headlice and nits

Written by Dr Gillian Rice, GP

Dimeticone
Dimeticone is a silicone-based lotion. It's a relatively new product, having launched in 2006, and works in a different way to conventional insecticides for head lice.

Instead of poisoning the parasites by chemical means, the dimeticone coats and smothers the lice. This prevents the lice from excreting excess water, killing them.

After applying the lotion the hair should be left to dry naturally.

The lotion doesn't kill eggs, so you need to repeat treatment after seven days to kill any lice that have hatched from eggs since the first application.

Wet combing
Wet combing removes lice without using chemicals.

It involves wetting the hair, applying conditioner, then combing it with a fine-toothed comb for at least 30 minutes every third or fourth day over a two-week period.

The aim is to remove any live lice and eggs until none are left.

A 2005 study found wet combing more effective than insecticides at curing head lice infestations. The Bug Busting kit used in the study is available on prescription.

What other therapies for head lice are available?
There are a number of herbal products such as tea tree oil and neem seed oil, and methods such as electric combs, which have been suggested as treatments for head lice.

You can also buy sprays to prevent head lice.

As yet, no good medical trials have shown that these treatments are effective.

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