Randomized controlled trial on the effect of coconut oil, vinegar plus cooking coconut oil versus 1% permethrin shampoo in the treatment of pediculosis

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To determine the efficacy of cooking coconut oil and vinegar as compared to 1% Permethrin shampoo in the treatment of Pediculosis humanus capitis in children 3 – 12 years old. @*Methodology@#The study was conducted in Barangay 704, Zone 77 in Malate among children 3 – 12 years old. Two hundred forty-five subjects were screened and the computed sample size was 150. Subjects were randomized to three treatment groups coconut oil (CO) group; vinegar plus coconut oil (CV) group; and 1% permethrin shampoo (PS) group. Treatments were given on the 1st and 8th day. The final level of infestation was determined on the 14th day. Cure rates, failure rates, and expenses were also determined. @*Results@#Permethrin achieved superiority over plain coconut oil (X2=18.77 p-value = 0.00). There was no sufficient evidence to prove the superiority of permethrin over coconut-vinegar solution (X2=1.04 p-value = 0.30). Twenty-two percent (11) of the participants from the PS group developed itching and irritation. No adverse effect was reported from the CO and CV groups. Permethrin was 14 times and five times more expensive than coconut oil and vinegar plus coconut oil, respectively. @*Conclusion@#Permethrin shampoo had a cure rate of 98%. Plain coconut oil and vinegar plus coconut oil had cure rates of 68% and 94%, respectively. Plain coconut oil had the highest failure rate at 36%, vinegar plus coconut oil at 6%, and permethrin shampoo with 2%. Adverse effects were exclusive to the PS group. Plain coconut oil was the most economical but coconut oil with vinegar with its significant cure rate can be an alternative therapy to permethrin shampoo in the treatment of head lice in children.