GB2312620A

GB2312620A - A formulation for the treatment of hair

Info

Publication number: GB2312620A
Application number: GB9609142A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sarla Shah
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-01
Filing date: 1996-05-01
Publication date: 1997-11-05
Also published as: GB9609142D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a formulation for the treatment of hair containing parasitic insects such as head lice, crab lice and for the treatment of infestation by scabies mite. The formulation contains as active ingredients flour, salt and water. The preferred flour is millet flour. The formulation can also contain a natural conditioner, such as henna. The formulation is a liquid paste, but may be conveniently packaged in dry form, with the water being added before application.

Description

A FORMULATION FOR TREATMENT OF HAIR The present invention relates to the use of a formulation for the treatment of hair containing parasitic insects such as head lice, crab lice and for the treatment of infestation by scabies mite.

The human head louse, Pediculus humanus, is one of several kinds of lice with mouthparts specialized for sucking blood. The small, wingless insect has a flattened body about 3mm long, with a claw on the end of each leg which helps it cling to the hair of its host. Females lay whitish eggs, called nits, once a day, attaching them to the hair with a sticky substance until they hatch in about a week. Head lice are unpleasant and indiscriminate guests.

They infest people who bathe often as well as those who do not, leaving itchy red spots on their hosts' scalps. Human hair is also subject to other troublesome infestations by minute insects and mites, such as chiggers.

Due to the indiscriminate nature of these insects, vast numbers of people suffer at some time from head lice.

Children particularly are prone to head lice or mites as they mix in close contact with other children allowing the insects to spread from host to host.

Many formulations have been introduced onto the market for the treatment of hair infested with head lice and other parasitic insects. These formulations have a shampoo base but also contain an insecticide.

It has been appreciated by the present applicant that some of these known formulations can be harsh on the scalp and can lead to some unpleasant and irritating skin conditions. The applicant has felt it desirable to provide a formulation that contains only natural products with no insecticides or additives such as colouring agents.

Further, as the formulation will be used on children as well as adults, it was felt desirable to provide a formulation that if accidentally taken internally will cause no side effects.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a formulation for use in the treatment of hair containing parasitic insects comprising as active ingredients flour, sodium chloride and water.

Preferably the flour is millet flour as this contains a high percentage of iron. Further active ingredients may be included such as anti-caking agents, magnesium carbonate and sodium hexacyanoferrate III. These further active ingredients may most conveniently be provide by using common table salt which already contains these ingredients in quantities suitable for the invention.

Prior to use, the formulation may be transported and stored in dry form. In other words the water need not be already present within the formulation and may conveniently be added immediately prior to use. The dry form of the formulation allows the product to be stored practically indefinitely without fear of a decrease in the effect of the active ingredients.

It is preferred that the flour and sodium chloride are in a ratio of from 4:1 to 6:1 preferably 5:1. Prior to use the water is added in a quantity sufficient for the formulation to become a liquid paste. During use ideally the liquid paste is applied evenly through wet hair known to be insect infested. The formulation is then left on the hair for 10 to 30 minutes, preferably 20 minutes before being rinsed thoroughly from the hair with water. The hair is then combed from scalp to end before being styled as desired.

It may be desirable to repeat the procedure after the duration of approximately a week as this will ensure the removal of any insects that have hatched from any remaining eggs before these insects have time to mature and lay eggs of their own.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the formulation further comprises a conditioner for the hair.

It is preferred that this conditioner is a natural product for example henna. The henna is preferably incorporated into the product in powder form so as to maintain the dry storage form of the product.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to specific examples.

Example 1.

2834g(100oz) Millet flour 566g (20or) Table salt containing Anticaking agents Magnesium carbonate Sodium Hexacyanoferrate III were mixed thoroughly to provide a powder containing an even distribution of the ingredients.

339.6g (120z) was taken and approximately looms of water was added until a liquid paste had been formed.

This paste was applied thoroughly onto the hair of seven individuals which had been diagnosed as having head lice. After the duration of 20 minutes the liquid paste was rinsed away thoroughly using warm water. The hair was then combed from scalp to end using a Napp (Trade Mark) comb.

The individuals scalps were then inspected for head lice and none were found. The same individuals were checked again after 4 months and then again after 8 months and no head lice were found.

Example 2.

The same formulation and procedure was carried out on five African children diagnosed as having head lice. Again the scalp and hair of the children was checked immediately after the procedure and a month later. No head lice were found.

Claims

1. A formulation for use in the treatment of hair containing parasitic insects comprising flour, sodium chloride and water.

2. A formulation according to claim 1 in which the flour is millet flour.

3. A formulation according to either claim 1 or claim 2 additionally comprising the ingredients found in common salt, excluding sodium chloride.

4. A formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the weight ratio of flour and sodium chloride is between 4:1 to 6:1.

5. A formulation according to claim 4 in which the weight ratio of flour and sodium chloride is 5:1.

6. A formulation according to any one of the preceding claims additionally comprising a conditioner for hair.

7. A formulation according to claim 6 in which the conditioner is henna.

8. A formulation according to any one of the preceding claims in which the amount of water present is sufficient for the formulation to be a liquid paste.

9. A dry form of the formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the water is not present.

10. Use of a formulation as defined in any one of claims 1-8 for the treatment of infection of hair by parasitic insects.

11. Use of flour, sodium chloride and water for the preparation of a formulation for the treatment of infection of hair by parasitic insects.