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Markey to FDA: Stop Use of Toxic Chemical in Children’s Shampoo

Use of insecticide ‘lindane’ in treatment for lice could harm children, pollutes environment WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, today called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to halt the use of the insecticide lindane in pharmaceutical treatments for head lice in children. Despite research supporting its toxicity and ineffectiveness, the FDA continues to allow lindane to be used in prescription shampoos and lotions to treat cases of lice and scabies, overwhelmingly on children. Lindane has been found to cause skin irritation, seizures, and, in rare instances, even death. Infants and children are especially sensitive to the health risks posed by pesticides such as lindane because of their developing …

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Worldwide Prevalence of Head Lice

To the Editor: Pediculosis capitis has been well-known since antiquity (1). Human infestation can result in psychological frustration for parents and children (2); furthermore, preventive and therapeutic practices, such as head shaving and the “no-nit” policy of excluding infected children from school, can also induce social stress. We sought to synthesize the available evidence regarding the worldwide prevalence of lice infestation in the 21st century by conducting a literature search of PubMed and Scopus databases in which we searched for the term pediculosis. We also searched Google for the terms head lice/pediculosis capitis and individual country names and evaluated references of the articles and reports retrieved through this search. Eligible studies were archived from January 1, …

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Head-lice shampoos can be dangerous

From Consumer Reports - September 2003 The millions of kids who will inevitably turn up with head lice during the coming school year have gained Food and Drug Administration protection against one dangerous prescription treatment--lindane, an organochlorine insecticide that can be toxic to brain cells. But another prescription lice shampoo--brand-named Ovide--is being marketed with use instructions that increase the risk of harm. The FDA recently recommended that lindane be used only with extreme caution in anyone weighing less than 110 pounds, which includes most school-aged children. Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, has long advocated taking lindane off the market. The makers of Ovide, which has been available in the U.S. since 1999, have moved to take over …

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The Most Dangerous Medicine

Mothers have found that the cure can be worse than the complaint By Paula Lyons - Ladies Home Journal - June 1994 For years it was the most commonly prescribed treatment for two of the most vexing and distasteful problems of childhood, head lice and scabies. The treatment’s most recognizable brand name has been Kwell, though it is no longer manufactured under that name. Generically, it is known as lindane. And though it comes in lotion and shampoo form, lindane is actually a very strong pesticide. But parents rarely are aware of this, and they can learn too late that lindane can have the same effect on their children that it has on the insects they carry: In other words, it can attack and permanently damage the central nervous system. On June 10, 1993, Jean Nabors*, of Boise, …

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Pediculosis Prevention Resolution Submitted to Congress

H.J. Res. 223 United States Conference of Mayors 1620 Eye Street, Northwest Washington, D.C. 20006 Telephone: (202)293-7330 April 8, 1985  The Honorable Barney Frank U.S. House of Representatives 1317 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Frank, The U.S. Conference of Mayors enthusiastically supports the resolution you have introduced designating September 1985 as "Pediculosis Prevention Month."  As the enclosed policy statement demonstrates, we have serious concerns about the potential health and social implications of pediculosis. Please feel free to call me or the Conference staff if we can provide further assistance …

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