Lice and Nit Combing Acknowledged as A Valid Treatment Strategy
NEWTON, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) of Newton, Mass. today announced a milestone in its mission to educate parents on chemical-free ways to screen and treat children with head lice.
Following review of a citizen petition from the NPA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its website, Treating and Preventing Head Lice, noting that lice removal kits, which are “comb or comb-like” devices, are a treatment option, and stating that combing may be used alone.
“We appreciate the FDA’s careful consideration. While combs have been mentioned passively through the years, the FDA is now recognizing combing as a treatment strategy on its own,” said Deborah Altschuler, President of the NPA.
Reaching this day is a capstone achievement for the NPA, which Ms. Altschuler co-founded in 1983 as the first national organization to focus specifically on pediculosis (lice) as a public health challenge for children, families and communities.
Ms. Altschuler was inspired by her own family’s experience with head lice, at a time when standard lice treatments were potentially toxic pesticides.
Since then, the NPA has worked to empower parents and their communities to prevent outbreaks and handle infestations safely with a quality lice comb.
The NPA’s initiatives range from September’s National Head Lice Prevention Month to educational videos to the LiceMeister® comb, which was featured as a non-chemical alternative to the pesticide lindane by the international Stockholm Convention, a treaty dedicated to the elimination or restricted use of persistent organic pollutants.
More information about pediculosis and combing is available at HeadLice.org and LiceMeister.com.
About the National Pediculosis Association
The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to setting the highest public health standards for children related to the communicability and treatment of head lice. The NPA is comprised of volunteers including its Scientific Advisory Board. As part of its mission, the NPA developed the LiceMeister® comb. All proceeds from the comb allow the NPA to maintain independence from product manufacturers and protect children from the misuse and abuse of pesticide treatments for lice.
Contacts
Media: Dawn Ringel, 781-449-8456 or dawn@ringelpr.com.