Single blind, randomised, comparative study of the Bug Buster kit and over the counter pediculicide treatments against head lice in the United Kingdom

doi:10.1136/bmj.38537.468623.E0

BMJ, doi: 10.1136/bmj.38537.468623.E0, (Published 5 August 2005)

PRIMARY CARE

Single blind, randomised, comparative study of the Bug Buster kit and over the counter pediculicide treatments against head lice in the United Kingdom

N Hill ¹^*, G Moor ¹, M M Cameron ¹, A Butlin ¹, S Preston ¹, M S Williamson ², C Bass ²

¹ Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT
² Biological Chemistry Division, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ

^* Correspondence to: nigel.hill{at}lshtm.ac.uk.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of the Bug Buster kit with a single treatment of over the counter pediculicides foreliminating head lice.

Design Single blind, multicentre, randomised,comparative clinical study.

Setting Four counties in Englandand one county in Scotland.

Participants 133 young people aged2-15 years with head louse infestation: 56 were allocated tothe Bug Buster kit and 70 to pediculicide treatment.

InterventionsHome use of proprietary pediculicides (organophosphate or pyrethroid)or the Bug Buster kit.

Main outcome measure Presence of headlice 2-4 days after end of treatment: day 5 for the pediculicidesand day 15 for the Bug Buster kit.

Results The cure rate usingthe Bug Buster kit was significantly greater than that for thepediculicides (57% v 13%; relative risk 4.4, 95% confidenceinterval 2.3 to 8.5). Number needed to treat for the Bug Busterkit compared with the pediculicides was 2.26.

Conclusion TheBug Buster kit was the most effective over the counter treatmentfor head louse infestation in the community when compared withpediculicides.

(Accepted 27 June 2005)

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