How is tx of lice?

• Individual patient factors should be assessed prior to choosing a topical therapy (age, allergy history, prior treatment, etc.) • It is prudent to re-treat with topical therapies 7-9 days after initial therapy to kill the newly hatched lice • First-line over-the-counter and prescription topical therapies are listed on the following slide. Use OTC permethrin 1% or pyrethrins when resistance is not suspected • Malathion 0.5% when resistance to permethrin or pyrethrins is documented or when treatment with these products fails • Adjunctive nit combing can be performed • Occlusive methods have also been used to suffocate head lice using substances such as petroleum jelly, but study results have been variable