Study finds Ulesfia effectively kills head lice

HOBOKEN, N.J. A new non-neurotoxic treatment for head lice has been found to have an average of 91.2% treatment success rate after one week, and to be safe in humans from 6 months of age and up, according to a study published in the latest issue of Pediatric Dermatology.

Benzyl Alcohol Lotion 5% (branded Ulesfia) works by suffocating lice. Unlike commonly used asphyxiant remedies, scanning electron microscopy appears to indicate that benzyl alcohol lotion effectively asphyxiates lice by “stunning” the spiracles open, allowing the lotion, comprised of mineral oil and other inactive ingredients, to infiltrate the “honeycomb” respiratory apparatus and kill lice.

“Existing over-the-counter head lice treatments contain neurotoxic pesticides as active ingredients, resulting in potential toxicity and other problems, including lengthy applications, odor, ineffective treatment,” stated study author Terri Meinking of Global Health Associates. “Resistance has also become a problem now that lice have had such prolonged exposure to these products.”