Cure Research for Head lice

Research discussion: A recent study done by Harvard University did show that SOME, but NOT ALL (or even most) head lice are resistant to common prescription and over-the-counter medications (OTC). There is
no information on how widespread resistance may be in the United States. Resistance (medication not working) is more likely in people who have been treated many times for head lice. There are many reasons why medications may seem not to work. Below are some of those reasons:

Misdiagnosis of a head lice infestation. A person has head lice if they have crawling bugs on their head or many lice eggs (also called nits) within a quarter inch (approximately the width of your pinky finger) of the scalp. Nits found on the hair shaft further than 1/4 inch from the scalp have already hatched out. Treatment is not recommended for people who only have nits further than one-quarter inch away from the scalp.
Not following treatment instructions fully. See instructions below for how to treat a head lice infestation. Using medication alone is not likely to cure a head lice infestation.
Medication not working at all (resistance). If head lice medication does not kill any crawling bugs, then resistance is likely. If the medication kills some of the bugs, then resistance to medication is probably not the reason for treatment failure (see item #2 and #4).
Medication kills crawling bugs, but is not able to penetrate the nits. It is very difficult for head lice medication to penetrate the nit shell. Medication may effectively kill crawling bugs, but may not treat the nits. This is why follow-up treatment is recommended. See instructions below for a detailed summary.
New infection. You can get infested more than once with head lice. Teach family members how to prevent re-infection.

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Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Treating Head Lice: DPD

Last revision: Oct 28, 2003

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