Are Over the Counter Lice Treatment Products Effective?

Our lice treatment professionals are often asked if OTC products are really helpful at combating these pesky critters.

Our answer is:

No, they aren’t!

Some of you might already be expecting this answer from us for we run our own clinic and as such, we are expected to undermine the efficacy of all such treatments that prevent our customers from seeking our services.

But all biasness aside, it’s true – OTC lice treatment products are not effective.

And we can back our claim with strong reasoning.

Let’s Look at the Packaging of These Products

What does it say about its formulation?

You are likely to find the mention of two constituents on all OTC lice treatment products:

• Permethrin treatment
• Pyrethroid or Pyrethrin based formulation

All means essentially the same thing.

Pyrethrins are a class of naturally occurring organic compounds that have been clinically identified as effective insecticides. Pyrethroid are synthetic form of pyrethrins. Permethrin, on the other hand, is an insecticide in the pyrethroid family.

In summary, OTC lice treatment products contain insecticides, and these insecticides have been found to be effective against lice and nits… However,they are not anymore!

The Journal of Medical Entomology explains.

Over the years, head lice have undergone genetic mutations that have made them resistant to the effects of pyrethroid and pyrethrin. And these mutations are now widely and uniformly present in U.S lice.

This is coming from a credible source; it’s a scientific study.

Still, giving these products a try should do no harm – isn’t it?

Think again, for pyrethrins and pyrethroid have well documented side effects, reported by reliable medicalresources.

Side Effects of Using Products Containing Pyrethrins or Pyrethroids

Some of the reported side effects of pyrethrins and pyrethroid are:

• Scalp irritation
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Dizziness
• Troubled breathing

Is there any alternative head lice treatment option available?

Yes, absolutely and it is effective as well. The pesticide free method – professional nit-picking. The tried and tested, and we are experts of it.

We apply natural cream to your hair to soften the strands, and then using our specially designed lice removal combs, we thoroughly remove all lice and nits ensuring a lice free head. To schedule an in-home or on-clinic treatment, call us at (800) 405-8201.