Petrolatum
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
The use of petrolatum is not recommended for the treatment of head lice due to the lack of evidence for its efficacy. Although the therapy is cheap, extremely safe and can be used in all patient populations without any risk of toxicity, it can be extremely difficult to remove and can result in greasy hair. With respect to the treatment of head lice, the lack of efficacy and poor convenience of this product preclude it from having any place in therapy.
The only time petrolatum may be recommended would be for the treatment of lice infested eyelashes following manual removal of the majority of nits. This is purely based on anecdotal evidence and is used for the immobilization of the lice and prevention of the adhesion of future nits to the greased hair shaft, allowing for easier manual removal. The recommended duration of therapy is 10 days.
References:
The use of petrolatum is not recommended for the treatment of head lice due to the lack of evidence for its efficacy. Although the therapy is cheap, extremely safe and can be used in all patient populations without any risk of toxicity, it can be extremely difficult to remove and can result in greasy hair. With respect to the treatment of head lice, the lack of efficacy and poor convenience of this product preclude it from having any place in therapy.
The only time petrolatum may be recommended would be for the treatment of lice infested eyelashes following manual removal of the majority of nits. This is purely based on anecdotal evidence and is used for the immobilization of the lice and prevention of the adhesion of future nits to the greased hair shaft, allowing for easier manual removal. The recommended duration of therapy is 10 days.
References:
- Takano-Lee M, Edman JD, Mullens BA, Clark JM. Home Remedies to Control Head Lice: Assessment of Home Remedies to Control the Human Head Louse, pediculus humanus capitis. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 2004; 19(6):303-308.
- Miller PF. Chapter 71: Parasitic Infections: Lice and Scabies. Patient Self-Care Helping your Patients Make Therapeutic Decision 2nd Ed. Canadian Pharmacists Association. 2010. 679-690.
- Management of head lice. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter 2008;24(11):241118.
- Goldstein AO and Goldstein BG. Pediculosis capitis. In UpToDate, Dellavalle RP (Ed), Rosen T (Ed), Levy ML (Ed), and Ofori AO (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2013.
- Burkhart CG. And Burhart CN. Asphyxiation of lice with topical agents, not a reality…yet. American Journal of Dermatology. 2006;54:721-2.