One of the older treatments for head lice is Lindane, definitely a toxic agent. In the March 1996 issue of California Morbidity, it states, "Lindane, used since the 1950s, is both the least effective and, by far, the most toxic."
The National Pediculosis Association, in that same year, went a step further. In a study related to the use of Lindane, its National Registry listed over 325 reports of seizure, behavioral changes, neuromuscular complaints, attention deficit disorders, chronic skin eruptions, cancer and death. Both the American Head Lice Information Center and the NPA discourage the use of Lindane to treat head lice for anyone due to its high toxicity and potentially serious side effects.
Nevertheless, nine years later, the FDA still believes the benefits of Lindane outweigh the risks when used as described. The warning label on Lindane products suggests it be used as a second-line therapy for the treatment of scabies and lice, as it is not effective enough in and by itself. See if you agree.
"… extended exposure to Lindane causes the absorption of its chemicals into the skin, the digestive system, and the respiratory tract, resulting in seizures and, in rare cases, death."
"The World Health Organization (WHO), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Health and Human Services… report a six fold increase in the number of farmers who have developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma after exposure to Lindane. Recent case studies report high rates of childhood brain cancer due to treatment with Lindane shampoo. Furthermore, studies have proven that Lindane causes a potentially fatal or lifetime condition called aplastic anemia, the deficiency of essential nutrients in the blood and a precursor to leukemia. Adverse effects have resulted from recommended dosage of this product."
"Lindane is exceptionally toxic to the environment."
"Even a small amount of Lindane when ingested is lethal."
"In California, one dose of Lindane was shown to pollute six million gallons of water."
The new Lindane box warns that it is to be used with caution in patients who weigh less than approximately 110 pounds. It is not recommended for use in infants.
Although the FDA has finally restricted the use of Lindane on children and the National Pediculosis Association reports that Lindane products have caused over 500 cases of serious adverse effects, over one million prescriptions are written each year to treat new cases of head lice and scabies, which occur mostly in school-age children. The largest drug store chain in America, CVS, charges $132.99 for a two ounce bottle, sufficient for one shampooing. And the State of California states that one two ounce treatment is toxic enough to pollute six million gallons of water. Poisoning does not come cheap!
Here at Lice Lifters we do not use any chemicals. We have a heated treatment that is fast and kills lice and nits in one seating. We also offer the all-natural The Nit Nanny Product line that kills lice naturally.
Find a Lice Lifters Treatment Center near you. http://www.licelifters.com/locations.html The Nit Nanny Products are always available http://www.thenitnanny.com/productsandprevention.html
