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Overview of the Head Lice problem
Evidence demonstrates that the problem of head lice is increasing, as the parasites are becoming immune to the existing products currently available on the market. Even though treatments are varied at regular intervals to try to prevent this. Th erefore an opportunity exists, or the market is ripe for the introduction of an additional product, which will help combat this social issue.
e following information is taken from the noted epidemiologists Dr Kosta Mumcuoglu fr om the Dept of Parasitology, Hebrew University in Israel, Dr John Maunder, Director of the Medical Entomology Centre at Cambridge and David Taplin Professor of Dermatology, Cutaneous Surgery, Epidmiology and Public Health at the University of Miami. All recently tackled the topic of head lice. Head Lice have been with us for several millennia and are likely to continue well into this one. With continued population expansion worldwide and people moving into crowded urban areas, many areas will experience even higher prevalence.
Maunder and Mumcuoglu agree that there is no indication that lice will be eradicated anytime soon.
Head Lice are just as common today as they were 60 years ago, in fact, treatment resistance lice, have appeared in many areas. Shortly aft er the introduction of permethrin based treatments in the early 1980’s there was a 60% decrease in infestation. But the percentage rose again two years later when local lice developed a resistance to the permethrin based products.
In the UK Head Lice infestations peaked at a high of 5% in 1996 and now holds steady at 3% of the school age population. Th e continuing problem is thought to be caused both by insecticide resistance and the reoganisation of the National Health Service. i.e. - disappearance of the school nit nurse and general health education for families.
e problem has been perceived as so severe in the UK that for several years October 31st has been declared National Bug Busting Day to prompt parents to check their children’s hair for lice e current public perception is negative to shampoos, borne out by healthcare specialists, the opinion is that the products currently available, are just a waste of money, as they don’t work and doing the job with conditioner and comb is just as eff ective. One healthcare website states ‘strongly recommend using wet combing method rather than chemical lotions or shampoos’ Today’s treatments range from a variety of over the counter Pyrethrins in shampoo or lotion, to Malathion lotions and carbaryl shampoo. None of these current treatments can completely eliminate head lice.
Mumcuoglu states ‘nature is more complex and clever than we think. Lice have lots of mechanisms to survive old and new pediculicides. Th ey have adapted very well to their host and it is very diffi Indeed Head Lice infestation is more common than all other childhood communicable conditions combined, (other than the common cold). WHO reviewed the prevalence of head lice worldwide from 1985-1997 and reported that infestation rates are ‘high almost everywhere’ In spite of this, the fact remains that there are few useful statistics available for estimating the prevalence of infestation. Th e perception that lice are more prevalent today than in past decades may perhaps refl ect societal changes in candor in In the UK advice for treating head lice generally recommends the following techniques.
1.Using chemicals - commonly Derbac –M , Prioderm, Quellada-M, Sulleo-M, Lyclear and Full Marks2.Wet combing method using conditioner and a fi ne nit comb Many of the issues leading to recommendation to not use these products seem to relate to the chemicals used in these products, which are damaging to the hair and skin. KINCARE HERBAL is made from natural ingredients, can be used daily and doesn’t have the unpleasant smell
of traditional treatments (which was another issue). Th
e USP seems to be the use of Polygonum and additional information and product testimonials for this are required from Moraz.

Source: http://www.regalhealthcare.ie/images/overviewheadliceproblem.pdf