Where is the evidence for treating head lice?

Head lice is the third most commonly reported outbreak in day care centres, and infestation rates of up to 35.1% have been reported in schools. Products that were once highly effective are now redundant due to resistance within the lice population. Herbal or natural based alternatives are recognised as having little data to support their efficacy, while the commonly recommended wet combing procedure is ineffective and inappropriate. Recently a new herbal based head lice treatment, MOOV Head Lice Solution, was registered with the TGA after an extensive evaluation of the product’s efficacy and safety. MOOV Head Lice Solution achieved a cure rate of 82.5% versus malathion 29.7% (p<0.0001) and pyrenthrins/piperonyl butoxide 36.1% (p<0.0001). The 82.5% cure rate for MOOV Head Lice Solution was achieved without the use of combing. While wet combing is often recommended for treating a head lice infestation it is laborious, time consuming, deceptively expensive and delivers poor efficacy even when performed by experts. MOOV Head Lice Solution is an evidence based treatment for head lice, does not require combing, can be quickly administered and is effective.