Derbac M Liquid (malathion 0.5%) contains no alcohol and is suitable for young children particularly those with asthma eczema and sensitive skin. The liquid is applied to dry hair, left for 12 hours and then washed out.
Stories in the news concerning the risks of neurotoxicity with malathion and cancer appear to be greatly exaggerated . Any risk that may exist seems to be very small if the insecticides is used correctly - i.e. two doses seven days apart and not for more than 3 weeks at a time.
An alcohol based lotion (Prioderm) is also available which helps to penetrate the eggs more easily than the aqueous based Derbac. All live lice are killed after a minimum treatment period of 2 hours. However to ensure all the eggs are killed, it should be left on the hair for a further 8-10 hours.
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Medicines Control Agency / Committee on Safety of Medicines. Letter to healthcare professionals from the MCA/CSM. Malathion: 6th Oct 1997.
