If Your Child Has Bugs

ByABC News
November 3, 2006, 1:17 PM

Nov.6, 2006— -- Head lice have plagued children and disgusted their parents since the dawn of human civilizations.

And now the number of head lice cases is increasing, researchers suggest, because lice are developing a resistance to a lot of current head lice treatments, such as chemical shampoos and various home remedies.

But a new study published in today's issue of Pediatrics suggests that a 30-minute blast of hot air can kill the little bugs with no reported side effects. Researchers from the University of Utah used a custom-built machine called the LouseBuster.

Head lice are an emotional issue for most parents, but the LouseBuster seems like overkill. Are there other ways to kill head lice? Will the old standby treatments still work?

Well, yes.

Here is the information that I -- as a pediatrician and as a parent -- want other parents to know.

First, this is not your fault. Head lice are acquired from other children in settings where children congregate such as schools and daycare facilities.

They do not indicate poor hygiene or an unclean home. Head lice do not come from pets, so please don't send Fido to the pound.

Next, head lice do not carry and spread other diseases in the way that ticks transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme Disease. But head lice are certainly unsightly and do cause the scalp to itch.

They also may spread to other family members, so it is wise to rid your child of the infestation (viruses and bacteria cause infections, insects cause infestations).

Friends, neighbors and grandparents might offer any number of folk remedies to get rid of the pests. They could suggest anything from coating the scalp with an oil slick to actually shaving the head.

I have heard of folks using vasoline, olive oil and even mayonnaise. If I were a louse, I'd certainly try to find another home if confronted with an oil slick on my home. Parents who have tried these treatments usually don't admit it in my office so I can't vouch for their effectiveness.

Most doctors I know like to recommend over-the-counter insecticides such as permethrin (sold as Nix), pyrethrins (Rid, Pronto plus) lindane (Kwell) and malathion (Ovide). Since these are essentially bug poisons, use them carefully and according to the instructions on the bottle.

I've known parents who have been so distressed by the thought of these little creatures on their beloved's head that they've overused these insecticides and caused severe scalp irritation, hair loss or worse. For example, because children under age 1 have a large scalp-surface-area, there is in theory a risk of a lethal dose of insecticide. Also, children with bone marrow conditions may also become anemic from prolonged insecticide exposure.