PERMETHRIN 1%
Patient Counselling
General Treatment: 1
For non-pharmacological strategies that should be performed in addition to the instructions below, please click on “Non-Pharmacological Treatments and Preventative Strategies” in Lice algorithm.
Permethrin 1%:
Permethrin is a pediculocide used to kill lice. It works by inhibiting sodium ions entering into nerve cell membrane channels in parasites resulting in delayed repolarization and thus paralysis and death of the pest. 2
Directions:
To use the lotion, follow these steps: 1
1. Wash your hair with shampoo and rinse with water. Do not use a conditioner or a shampoo that contains a conditioner because your treatment will not work as well.
2. Dry your hair with a towel until it is damp.
3. Mix the medication by shaking permethrin lotion well right before use.
4. Cover your face and eyes with a towel. Be sure to keep your eyes closed during this treatment. It may be helpful to have an extra set of hands to help apply the lotion (ie. an adult).
5. Apply permethrin lotion to your hair and scalp area. Begin to apply the lotion behind your ears and at the back of your neck and then cover all of the hair on your head and scalp.
6. Keep the lotion on for 10 minutes after you finish applying permethrin lotion. A timer may be used to help track the full 10 minutes.
7. Rinse your hair and scalp with warm water in a sink. You should not use a shower or bathtub to rinse the lotion away because you do not want to get the lotion over the rest of your body.
8. Dry your hair with a towel.
9. Whoever applied the lotion should wash their hands carefully after the application and rinsing steps.
10. After treatment use the comb that is included in the product to comb off the nits (empty egg shells) attached to the hair follicles. Start at the scalp and comb to the end of the hair. Clean the comb with soap and hot water when you are finished.
Use a second treatment 7-10 days after the first treatment to make sure the lice and any hatched eggs are gone. Repeat steps above.
Avoid getting the product in your eyes, but if it does rinse with plenty of warm water. If pain persists, seek medical attention.
Monitoring:
If 2 treatments do not get rid of the lice, see your doctor. You may be itchy for a few days post treatment, but if you continue to have severe itching see your physician.
Storage:
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.2
Side effects:
Permethrin may cause mild side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away3:
· Itching of skin or scalp area
· Redness of skin or scalp area
· Numbness or tingling of the skin
· Rash
Some side effects can be very serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately3:
• Trouble breathing
• Continued irritation of the skin or scalp area
• Infected or pus filled areas of the skin or scalp area
REFERENCES
1. Miller, P. 2010. Patient Self-Care; Second Edition. Parasitic Skin Infections: Lice and Scabies. 679-688.
2. Lexi – Comp 2012. Permethrin. Accessed February 24, 2013 from http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/74713. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parasites: Lice – Head Lice. 2010. Accessed February 24, 2013 from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
For non-pharmacological strategies that should be performed in addition to the instructions below, please click on “Non-Pharmacological Treatments and Preventative Strategies” in Lice algorithm.
Permethrin 1%:
Permethrin is a pediculocide used to kill lice. It works by inhibiting sodium ions entering into nerve cell membrane channels in parasites resulting in delayed repolarization and thus paralysis and death of the pest. 2
Directions:
To use the lotion, follow these steps: 1
1. Wash your hair with shampoo and rinse with water. Do not use a conditioner or a shampoo that contains a conditioner because your treatment will not work as well.
2. Dry your hair with a towel until it is damp.
3. Mix the medication by shaking permethrin lotion well right before use.
4. Cover your face and eyes with a towel. Be sure to keep your eyes closed during this treatment. It may be helpful to have an extra set of hands to help apply the lotion (ie. an adult).
5. Apply permethrin lotion to your hair and scalp area. Begin to apply the lotion behind your ears and at the back of your neck and then cover all of the hair on your head and scalp.
6. Keep the lotion on for 10 minutes after you finish applying permethrin lotion. A timer may be used to help track the full 10 minutes.
7. Rinse your hair and scalp with warm water in a sink. You should not use a shower or bathtub to rinse the lotion away because you do not want to get the lotion over the rest of your body.
8. Dry your hair with a towel.
9. Whoever applied the lotion should wash their hands carefully after the application and rinsing steps.
10. After treatment use the comb that is included in the product to comb off the nits (empty egg shells) attached to the hair follicles. Start at the scalp and comb to the end of the hair. Clean the comb with soap and hot water when you are finished.
Use a second treatment 7-10 days after the first treatment to make sure the lice and any hatched eggs are gone. Repeat steps above.
Avoid getting the product in your eyes, but if it does rinse with plenty of warm water. If pain persists, seek medical attention.
Monitoring:
If 2 treatments do not get rid of the lice, see your doctor. You may be itchy for a few days post treatment, but if you continue to have severe itching see your physician.
Storage:
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.2
Side effects:
Permethrin may cause mild side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away3:
· Itching of skin or scalp area
· Redness of skin or scalp area
· Numbness or tingling of the skin
· Rash
Some side effects can be very serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately3:
• Trouble breathing
• Continued irritation of the skin or scalp area
• Infected or pus filled areas of the skin or scalp area
REFERENCES
1. Miller, P. 2010. Patient Self-Care; Second Edition. Parasitic Skin Infections: Lice and Scabies. 679-688.
2. Lexi – Comp 2012. Permethrin. Accessed February 24, 2013 from http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/74713. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parasites: Lice – Head Lice. 2010. Accessed February 24, 2013 from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html