Skabi-Rid is registered for the treatment of scabies. Using it for lice is not a registered indication. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before treating lice, and do not use over-the-counter lice treatments on children under two without medical advice.
Permethrin 5% lotion is included for the treatment of head lice in the Department of Health's Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa (chapter 5, 5.7.1.1, head lice).
Why lice keep coming back
Lice infestations are a continuing problem worldwide, partly because of resistance caused by incomplete treatment. Eggs (nits) are glued firmly to the hair close to the scalp and are hard to kill with chemicals. Young lice (nymphs) that hatch are the easiest stage to kill, and they moult three times before they can breed. A single treatment rarely clears every louse, so a treatment programme is needed, and combing out lice and nits matters more as resistance grows.
The Department of Health regime for head lice with permethrin 5%
- Apply permethrin 5% lotion to towel-dried or dry hair. Comb it into the hair repeatedly with a normal comb until the scalp is completely covered.
- Remove lice and nymphs with a fine lice comb, dividing the scalp into sections and combing away from the scalp.
- Rinse the comb in a white bowl of hot water between strokes, or wipe it on white tissue paper. Paralysed and dead lice look like dark specks of ground pepper.
- Note the size of the lice you remove. They should get smaller with each treatment.
- Keep combing, rinsing or wiping the comb often. The lotion can be left in the hair for up to one hour.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and wash the lotion out with normal shampoo. More than one wash may be needed.
- Repeat every five days for three weeks, then check often to catch new infestations early.
Do not apply to broken skin or sores, and avoid contact with the eyes. Prevent spread by checking and treating other contacts.
S0 Skabi-Rid is a registered medicine (Reg. No. A40/13.2/0756). Read the package insert before use. If symptoms persist, see your doctor or pharmacist.