Pediculosis capitis

Unlabeled Uses Angiostrongyliasis, capillaria infestations, dracunculus infestations, pediculosis capitis, tinea infections... 

Lindane (Kwell, etc) is available as a shampoo or lotion. For pediculosis capitis or pubis, 30 mL of shampoo is applied to dry hair on the scalp or genital area for 4 minutes and then rinsed off. No additional application is indicated unless living lice are present 1 week after treatment. Then reapplication may be required. 

Lindane (Kwell, etc) is available as a shampoo or lotion. For pediculosis capitis or pubis, one application of 30 mL of shampoo is worked into a lather and left on the scalp or genital area for 5 minutes and then rinsed off. No additional application is indicated unless living lice are present 1 week after treatment. Then reapplication may be required. Recent concerns about the toxicity of lindane have altered treatment guidelines for its use in scabies the current recommendation calls for a single application to the entire body from the neck down, left on for 8-12 hours, and then washed off. Patients should be retreated only if active mites can be demonstrated, and never within 1 week of initial treatment. 

In 28 patients with pediculosis capitis (aged 7-12 years) levamisole was given in a dose of 3.5 mg/kg for 10 days there were no adverse reactions (11). 

Jones KN, English III JC. Review of common therapeutic options in the United States for the treatment of pediculosis capitis. CUn Infect Dis 2003 36 1355-1361. 

The child with pediculosis capitis is prescribed lindane (Kwell), a pediculocide. Which information should the nurse discuss with the parents ... 

Morais, P, A. Mota, A.P. Cunha, L. Peralta, and F. Azevedo. 2008. Phytophotodermatitis due to homemade ointment for Pediculosis capitis. Contact Dermat. 59(6) 373-374. 

Phthiriasis palpebrarum is an imcommon eyelid infestation by Phthiruspubis (crab louse) and, less commonly, by the Pediculus bumanus species, P. humanus var. capitis (head louse) and P humanus var. corporis (body louse). The term pediculosis refers to infestation by the two P humanus species and should not generally be used when referring to eyelid manifestations. 

Pediculosis caused by Pediculus capitis, the human head louse, is the most prevalent parasitic infestation of humans worldwide, especially among school children of 3-12 years old (7). More Uian 6-12 million people in the United States (US) are estimated to have pediculosis. Synq>toms of infestations are relatively mild, but the social, mental and economic consequences are substantial. Pediculosis is not widely tolerated in the US and is repeatedly treated by a variety of over-the-counter pediculicides, which are exclusively limited to those containing pyrethrin or permetfarin as active ingredients. Because these pediculicides share a common mechanism of action on the voltage-sensitive sodium channel in the nervous system of insects (2), dieir repetitive and continued use has imposed a high pressure for the selection of resistant louse populations. 

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