How does the Pediculen medication work on lice? - briefly
Pediculen contains a neurotoxic insecticide that penetrates the louse exoskeleton, disrupting sodium channel function and causing rapid paralysis and death. The formulation also includes a surfactant to spread over hair shafts, ensuring contact with all life stages of the parasite.
How does the Pediculen medication work on lice? - in detail
Pediculen contains the neurotoxic agent dimeticone, a silicone‑based compound that physically disrupts the lice cuticle. Upon contact, the low‑viscosity fluid penetrates the exoskeleton, coating hairs and the insect’s body. This coating fills the respiratory spiracles and interferes with the lamellae that regulate water loss, causing rapid desiccation and mortality within minutes.
The medication also targets nymphs and eggs. Dimeticone’s ability to spread through the dense hair matrix ensures that newly hatched lice are exposed before they can develop protective wax layers. In eggs, the compound permeates the chorion, impairing embryonic respiration and preventing hatching.
Key mechanisms include:
- Physical suffocation – blockage of spiracles prevents oxygen intake.
- Hydro‑disruption – alteration of cuticular lipid balance leads to uncontrolled water loss.
- Mechanical immobilization – coating of legs and mouthparts hampers movement and feeding.
Because the action is purely physical, Pediculen does not rely on biochemical pathways, reducing the risk of resistance development that commonly affects insecticide‑based treatments. Resistance monitoring shows negligible cross‑resistance with pyrethroids or organophosphates.
Application guidelines maximize efficacy:
- Apply a generous amount to dry hair, ensuring coverage from scalp to tips.
- Leave the product on for the manufacturer‑specified duration (typically 10 minutes).
- Comb through with a fine‑toothed nit comb to remove dead lice and eggs.
- Repeat the procedure after 7 days to eliminate any newly hatched nymphs that escaped the first treatment.
Pharmacokinetic data indicate minimal systemic absorption; dimeticone remains on the scalp and is removed with routine washing. Safety studies report low irritation potential and no significant adverse effects in children over six months of age.