Deon V Canyon1, Rick Speare. 1. School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia. Deon.Canyon@jcu.edu.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pediculosis, caused by head lice (Pediculidae: Pediculus humanus var. capitis), is experiencing a global resurgence, with the prevalence in primary schools averaging as high as 40% in some areas regardless of socioeconomic factors. Control efforts using chemical treatments are becoming increasingly ineffective, with insecticide resistance recorded in several countries. Prevention using repellents and oils would be useful if they limited transmission. Many commercially available substances reputedly have effective repellent qualities, but remain untested. METHODS: This study tested the preventative efficacy of N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) against several commercially available botanicals to clarify their value as transmission inhibitors, irritants, repellents, and antifeedants. RESULTS: The transfer of head lice to treated hairs was limited by the slippery nature of the oils rather than their repellent qualities. Irritancy was not important because lice proceeded despite being highly irritated, except in the case of coconut. Tea tree and peppermint caused the most repellence, and tea tree and lavender prevented some blood feeding on treated skin. Comparatively, tea tree oil was most efficacious, with DEET ranking equal second overall with coconut, peppermint, and a botanical mixture. CONCLUSIONS: Neither DEET nor any of the botanicals tested showed sufficient preventative efficacy to be endorsed.
BACKGROUND: Pediculosis, caused by head lice (Pediculidae: Pediculus humanus var. capitis), is experiencing a global resurgence, with the prevalence in primary schools averaging as high as 40% in some areas regardless of socioeconomic factors. Control efforts using chemical treatments are becoming increasingly ineffective, with insecticide resistance recorded in several countries. Prevention using repellents and oils would be useful if they limited transmission. Many commercially available substances reputedly have effective repellent qualities, but remain untested. METHODS: This study tested the preventative efficacy of N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) against several commercially available botanicals to clarify their value as transmission inhibitors, irritants, repellents, and antifeedants. RESULTS: The transfer of head lice to treated hairs was limited by the slippery nature of the oils rather than their repellent qualities. Irritancy was not important because lice proceeded despite being highly irritated, except in the case of coconut. Tea tree and peppermint caused the most repellence, and tea tree and lavender prevented some blood feeding on treated skin. Comparatively, tea tree oil was most efficacious, with DEET ranking equal second overall with coconut, peppermint, and a botanical mixture. CONCLUSIONS: Neither DEET nor any of the botanicals tested showed sufficient preventative efficacy to be endorsed.
Authors: M A Amirkhani; S M Alavian; H Maesoumi; T Aminaie; M Dashti; G Ardalan; H Ziaoddini; P Mirmoghtadaee; P Poursafa; R Kelishadi Journal: Iran Red Crescent Med J Date: 2011-03-01 Impact factor: 0.611
Authors: Sophie Mac-Mary; Rafat Messikh; Adeline Jeudy; Thomas Lihoreau; Jean-Marie Sainthillier; Bernard Gabard; Catherine Schneider; Philippe Auderset; Philippe Humbert Journal: ISRN Dermatol Date: 2012-10-30
Authors: Pietro Ferrara; Francesca Del Bufalo; Valerio Romano; Eloisa Tiberi; Giorgia Bottaro; Lorenza Romani; Monica Malamisura; Francesca Ianniello; Laura Ceni; Giovanni Mottini; Antonio Gatto Journal: Iran J Public Health Date: 2013-07-01 Impact factor: 1.429