Of lice and kids

"Lice" - the 4 letter word that makes me itch just looking at it. The FDA just approved a new prescription product, benzyl alcohol lotion, 5% (Sciele Pharma, Inc.) for the treatment of head lice (pediculosis capitis) in children 6 months and older. Benzyl alcohol is not a pesticide. The lotion, in the consistency of hair conditioner, will likely require two 10-minute treatments, one week apart. The product basically suffocates the lice by preventing them from closing their spiracles. Side effects reported include skin, scalp, and eye irritations, and numbness at the scalp, which is the site of application. No word, yet, on when it will actually be on the pharmacy shelves behind the counter.

Can you handle more information about head lice and current available treatment options? Here is a quick review.