Comparison of 1% permethrin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and crotamiton in the treatment of pediculosis capitis

To compare the efficacy of three different treatments for pediculosis capitis. This prospective study was carried out at Jordanian Military Field Hospital, Gaza from August 2012 to October 2012. A total of 60 patients were included in this study. Pediculosis capitis was diagnosed by direct examination of scalp and hair and was confirmed by direct light microscopic examination. Patients were divided into three equal groups: The first group received 1% permethrin cream, the second group received only oral Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and the third group received crotamiton lotion. To assess cure rate we followed these patients up to two and four weeks after completing their treatment. Absence of adults' lice and nits was considered a cure. The group which received 1% permethrin cream showed the highest cure rate, while those who received oral Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole showed the lowest cure rate. 1 % permethrin cream rinse was the best treatment to head lice and oral TM-SMX therapy did not give desirable results