Bug busting was less effective than malathion lotion for head lice in children
QUESTION: Is bug busting (wet combing with a fine toothed comb) as effective as malathion lotion for head lice in children?
Design
Randomised (unclear allocation concealment), blinded (outcome assessors) controlled trial with follow up at 7 days after completion of treatment.
Setting
24 primary schools in an area previously identified to have lice with intermediate resistance to malathion, in North Wales, UK.
Participants
81 children aged 3–14 years who were identified by school nurses as having live, moving head lice; had not used insecticide lotion in the previous 2 weeks; and had no broken skin on the scalp. The sample included children from the participating schools and siblings at home who met the selection criteria. 72 children (89%) (mean age 7.7 y, 71% girls) were included in the analyses.
Intervention
37 children were allocated to …
