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Head Lice : A Growing Problem

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Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitus) is a growing problem and is a concern throughout the world, affecting hundreds of millions of individuals globally.1 It affects all socioeconomic groups.2 Children aged 3 to 11 are the primary population affected with an estimated 6 to12 million infestations occurring annually in the United States. Family members of those affected also contribute to the number of infestations.1,3 Head lice infestations place a large burden on society. An economic cost of an estimated annual $1 billion is reported in the United States. This cost is attributed to treatment costs, loss of funding to school systems due to excessive absences of students, and lost wages from work missed by caregivers tending to their children.2,4 Affected individuals’ quality of life is also impacted. Although head lice is not associated with poor hygiene, it still carries a major stigma along with it.2,3 This is especially true among children in the school setting. As a result, children are ashamed and embarrassed socially.2 Another concern associated with the treatment of head lice is the increasing issue of resistance resulting from the widespread overuse and misuse of conventional pediculicides.1,5-7 Although the exact rates of resistance are not currently available, rates differ between communities and countries.2,5-8 There is an undeniable consensus that the efficacy of many current and first line treatments are failing. Among these, the class of pyrethroid pediculicides

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