Lice (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Lice Overview
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Lice Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Prevention
- Outlook
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Multimedia
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Pictures of Head Lice - Slideshow

- Viewer Comments: Head Lice Infestation (Pediculosis) - Describe Your Experience
Medications
Follow the doctor's instructions for prescription anti-lice agents, if prescribed.
- Do not apply to eyes, face, or mucous membranes.
- Discuss treatment with the doctor if you are
pregnant.
- Common prescription anti-lice agents
- Elimite cream (permethrin 5%) may be used in
children over 2 months of age.
- Kwell shampoo or cream (lindane 1%) is generally
considered at "last ditch" medication due to the possibility of
neurotoxicity enhanced by absorption through open sores or excessive
application. Guidelines recommend patients weight at least 110 pounds to use
this treatment.
- Ovide lotion (malathion 0.5%) may be used in
children over 6 years of age. There are few side effects (stinging when open
sores are exposed).
- Elimite cream (permethrin 5%) may be used in
children over 2 months of age.
- If you have ragweed allergies, avoid permethrin (Elimite,
Nix) and pyrethrin (Rid, A-200) products.
- Lindane is considered a second-line treatment if other medications fail or are not tolerated. It is not very safe in children and may cause neurotoxicity (dizziness, seizures).
- Studies in 2001 demonstrated that combination therapy using topical 1% Permethrin (Nix) and the oral antibiotic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxizole (Septra or Bactrum) was effective for head-lice infestations which were poorly responsive to traditional therapies.
Learn more about medications like permethrin (Elimite), lindane (Kwell), and malathion (Ovide) on RxList.com.
Next: Next Steps »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Head Lice Infestation (Pediculosis) - Describe Your Experience
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
Please describe your experience with head lice infestation (pediculosis).
| Printer-Friendly Format | | | Email to a Friend |
Parenting and Pregnancy
Get tips for baby and you.
From WebMD
Parenting Resources
- Your Child's Changes: What to Expect
- Parents: Teen Drug Slang You Should Know
- Photos: How to Diaper Your Baby
Featured Centers
- Top 10 Asthma Cities
- Health Check: How to Choose The Right Vitamins
- 10 Triggers for the Holiday Blues
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Lice »
Louse infestation remains a major problem throughout the world. Head louse infestation among school children has reached epidemic proportions in many parts of the United States.
Most Popular Topics
Explore 80+ Centers
- Allergy
- Allergy Medications
- Anaphylaxis
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Baby's Health
- Back, Neck, Head Injury
- Bioterrorism, Warfare
- Blood, Lymphatic System
- Bone, Joint, Muscle
- Brain, Nervous System
- Breathing Difficulties
- Burns
- Camping
- Cancer, Tumors
- Children's Health
- Cholesterol
- Cold and Flu
- CPR, Choking
- Cuts, Scrapes, Bruises
- Dementia
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Diabetic Coma, Insulin Shock
- Digestive System
- Dislocations
- Drowning
- Drug Overdose
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- Emotional Wellness
- Endocrine System
- Environmental Injuries
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Exercise, Nutrition
- Eye, Vision
- Fainting
- Fever
- First Aid, Emergency
- First Aid Kits
- Food Poisoning
- Foreign Bodies
- Fractures, Broken Bones
- Glaucoma
- Headache
- Health, Medical
- Heartburn, GERD, Reflux
- Heart, Blood Vessels
- Heart Attack
- Hepatitis
- Immune System
- Incontinence
- Infections
- Kidneys, Urinary System
- Lung, Airway
- Medications
- Men's Health
- Mental Health, Behavior
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nosebleeds
- Osteoporosis
- Outdoor Living
- Overexposure
- Poisoning
- Procedures
- Psoriasis
- Public Health
- Scuba Diving, Swimming
- Seizures
- Senior Health
- Shock
- Skin, Hair, Nails
- Sleep Disorders
- Social, Family Health
- Sports Injury
- Sprains, Strains
- Statins
- STDs
- Substance Abuse
- Teen Health
- Teeth, Mouth, Oral Health
- Weight Management
- Wilderness Emergencies
- Women's Health
- Wounds


