Recommended regimens

• lindane, 1% lotion or cream, rubbed gently but thoroughly into the infested area and adjacent hairy areas and washed off after 8 hours; as an alternative, lindane (1%) shampoo, applied for 4 minutes and then thoroughly washed off,

OR

• pyrethrins plus piperonyl butoxide: applied to the infested and adjacent hairy areas and washed off after 10 minutes; retreatment is indicated after 7 days if lice are found or eggs are observed at the hair-skin junction. Clothing or bed linen that may have been contaminated by the patient in the two days prior to the start of the treatment should be washed and well dried, or dry cleaned.

OR

• permethrin 1% as above.

Note

Lindane is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

Special considerations

Pediculosis of the eyelashes should be treated by the application of an occlusive ophthalmic ointment to the eyelid margins daily for 10 days to smother lice and nits. The ointment should not be applied to the eyes.