Head Lice
Infestation with head lice is widespread and most commonly occurs in children.
Physical evidence of living lice is necessary prior to the commencement of treatment.
Close contacts should be traced and if found to be infested treated at the same time.
There is no evidence that any one insecticide currently in use in the UK has a greater effect than another. Best choice will depend on local resistance patterns.
It is unclear whether physical methods such as wet combing are effective as a means of curing head lice infestations.
Scabies
While infestation with the scabies mite is not a life-threatening condition, the severe, persistent itch debilitates and depresses people.
There is a lack of good quality research on the effectiveness and comparative effectiveness of available treatments.
Health professionals treating scabies face considerable uncertainty as to the most effective and safe topical treatment for scabies.
Whilst permethrin appears to be the preferred treatment for scabies at the present time, this choice is based on small trials together with traditional reviews and professional opinion.