What is Ivermectin
Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent.
The FDA has approved ivermectin tablets for two parasitic worm infections in humans:
- Strongyloidiasis can cause bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and rashes. Most people can be asymptomatic.
- Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, causes an itchy rash, eye disease, or skin growths.
Doctors can also prescribe topical ivermectin to treat head lice and skin conditions like rosacea and scabies.
The same drug caused a massive riot in the community it treats Covid-19 not long ago, which is completely untrue and lacks strong evidence.
Introduction to Headlice
An adult head louse, also known as kutu rambut in the Malay language is a tan or grayish insect the size of a strawberry seed. It feeds on scalp blood. In order to lay eggs, the female louse secretes a sticky substance 3/16 inch (5 millimeters) from the scalp. Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) eggs, nymphs, and adults can be found on the patient’s head. Head lice infestations usually affect children and are caused by direct lice transfer from one person to another’s hair.
Unhygienic habits or an unclean environment do not cause a head lice infestation. Head lice do not spread bacterial or viral diseases. Head lice can only crawl, not hop or fly. Thus, the transmission of a head louse occurs frequently through direct head-to-head contact, often within a family or among children at school or play. Indirect transmission occurs when people share personal items like hats, scarves, brushes, combs, headphones, pillows, towels, and upholstery. Dogs, cats, and other pets do not spread head lice. Dandruff, product residue, dead hair tissue bead on a hair shaft (hair cast), scabs, dirt or other debris or other small insects found in the hair can all be mistaken for nits.
Symptoms of a lice infestation include:
- Itching. Itching on the scalp, neck, and ears is the most common lice symptom. This is a louse bite allergy. Itching may not occur for four to six weeks after a first lice infestation. The sensation of something moving in the hair may interfere with sleep.
- Head lice. Lice are small, avoid light, and move quickly.
- Nits on hair shafts. Nits cling to the hair. The tiny incubating nits may be difficult to see. They’re easiest to find around the ears and neck. Nits that are empty are lighter in colour and farther from the scalp. However, nits do not always indicate an active infestation.
- Head, neck, and shoulder sores. Scratching can cause small red bumps that can become infected.
Finding a live nymph or adult louse on the scalp or hair of a person is the best way to diagnose head lice. The public may be unable to determine its life stage or the presence of head lice, so seek medical assistance.
Over-the-counter lotions for head lice treatment include Gamma benzene hexachloride (Lindane Shampoo) in oil solution, malathion or ivermectin as one of the over-the-counter lotions. The FDA approved ivermectin lotion 0.5 percent in 2012 for treating head lice in children 6 months and older. However, it appears to kill nymphs (just-hatched lice). It works well on dry hair without nit combing in most patients. It should not be used for retreatment without consulting a doctor. Oral ivermectin has been used extensively and safely for over two decades to treat filarial worm infections.
Due to its severe effects on the eyes and ears, it must be administered under medical supervision.
Back to the Question
There are two possible forms available: oral and topical. Ivermectin 0.5% kills most head lice infestations in 10 minutes on dry hair and scalp. After one treatment, 71–76% of patients were lice-free in 2 weeks. Using this lotion alone isn’t enough to get rid of lice. The FDA has not approved ivermectin oral tablets for treating head lice, but a single dose of 200 micrograms/kg or 400 micrograms/kg repeated 9 to 10 days later has been shown to be effective. Ivermectin tablets are not approved for use in children under 15 kg or pregnant women.
Alternative/prevent Head Lice
You can’t prevent head lice.
Regular wet or dry combing can help prevent their spread. Wet combing means finding head lice with a special fine-toothed comb (detection comb). Day 1, 5, 9, and 13: Wet comb for newly hatched head lice. On day 17, check everyone’s hair for lice. If the condition persists after 17 days, try medicated lotions and sprays prescribed by pharmacists or doctors.
However, early health screening is critical.