Consumer Reports Tests Head Lice Treatments, Recommends Best Options

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Head lice affects as many as 12 million kids every year.

Last year, Americans spent $130 million trying to get rid of it.

Consumer Reports reviewed the studies on lice shampoos and treatments and says there are actually better options.

"No mom or dad wants to know that there are bugs in their kid's hair, so they're just really upset," says Anna Krosche, a lice removal expert.

Frantic families often turn to popular over-the-counter treatments like RID, that contains pyrethrum or Nix, which contains permethrin.

But Consumer Reports says based on mounting evidence, including a recently published study, these chemicals may not be the best choices.

"Those active ingredients tend not to work anymore because the lice have become resistant to them," says Krosche.

Besides getting rid of lice, you need to get rid of their eggs. Nix claims to do both. How effective is its active ingredient, permethrin?

"There's a study in the scientific literature that shows that it does kill some eggs, but actually not very many," says Michael Hansen, of Consumer Reports.

Nix's lawyer says the basis for its egg-killing claim "is considered proprietary and confidential," and it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

So what gets rid of lice?

Consumer Reports' experts say the safest, most effective method is to comb them out using a lubricant, like conditioner, and a fine-toothed metal comb.

If you're wondering about other pesticide-free treatments, studies show those that contain low-levels of dimethicone, also known as dimeticone, may be somewhat effective at killing the bugs, but you still need to comb out the eggs.

Your child's doctor may recommend a prescription treatment.

Consumer Reports says Lindane can have serious risks and should not be used.

Studies show that Spinosad, a newer prescription drug sold as Natroba, could be effective, but its long-term safety is unknown, and it's very expensive - nearly $300 for four ounces.

You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News Stories

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter