Case scenario

Jane and her 5-year-old son visit the pharmacy. Jane believes her child has head lice for the first time and needs advice. You comb through the child’s hair using a fine-tooth comb and find moving lice. After confirming the child has no allergies, you recommend KP24 (malathion) lotion, which is a first-line treatment for head lice. You explain how to use the treatment: apply to dry hair, massage the lotion in for 6 minutes and leave it on the scalp for 30 minutes before washing. You advise Jane not to use hot tools while using this product (e.g. a blow dryer), as it is flammable. You emphasise that at least two applications are needed, at least 7–10 days apart. It should be followed up with daily wet combing to identify remaining or newly hatched live lice.

Learning objectives

After successful completion of this CPD activity, pharmacists should be able to:

  • Explain the lifecycle of head lice
  • Identify the signs and symptoms of head lice infestation
  • Discuss evidence-based treatment recommendations for head lice
  • Describe how to treat head lice in pregnant patients.

Competency standards (2016) addressed: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 3.1, 3.5

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Introduction

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation is a global public health issue — the prevalence estimates range from 5% in Europe to 33% in Central and South America.1

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