Pediculosis capitis treated with quassia tincture

Abstract

454 patients were treated with quassia tincture for head lice. At examination one week later only 3 patients had hatched lice. There was firm evidence that these patients had been reinfested. The treatment procedure was acceptable both to patients and to staff and no side-effects were observed. As resistance to clophenothane has appeared, alternative cures are needed. This study confirmed earlier reports on the effectiveness of quassia tincture, which seems to be a useful alternative to clophenothane. At present the recommended treatment is two applications with an interval of one week.