GB2347082A

GB2347082A - Treatment or prevention of parasitic infection using acetic acid

Info

Publication number: GB2347082A
Application number: GB9904081A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Margaret Mary Seale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-24
Filing date: 1999-02-24
Publication date: 2000-08-30
Also published as: GB9904081D0

Abstract

A preparation for the treatment or prevention of a parasitic infection such as head-lice and nits, contains acetic acid, preferably in the form of distilled malt vinegar. The preferred form of application of the preparation is in liquid form as a shampoo, although it may be prepared as a cream, lotion, ointment, aerosol spray, or after suitable processing, as a powder or dust. It may be sprayed, brushed or massaged into the area of (potential) infection of the hair or scalp when said area is wet or dry.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE TREATMENT OR PREVENTION OF PARASITIC INFESTATION This invention concerns improvements in or relating to the treatment or prevention of parasitic infestation in mammals, particularly, although not exclusively, in humans.

The incidence of head lice infestation especially in closed human communities, such for example as schools, has risen alarmingly in recent years notwithstanding the existence of modern hair care and dermatological preparations. Conventionally, malathion, permethrin, phenothrin or carbaryl lotions are used but not to great effect.

Furthermore, with increasing usage of such preparations, the lice have become increasingly resistant or indeed immune thereto.

It is also the case that some products have to be used with caution depending upon the status of the host. For example, medical supervision is desirable, if not essential, for children under 6 months.

Equally, the preparations should advisedly not be used on broken or infected skin or where the host suffers from asthma or eczema.

Pregnant women and those breast feeding children are also at possible risk when using conventional preparations.

Another important aspect of conventional preparations is that in some cases they include organic phosphate compounds which attract some attention in terms of their toxicity.

The condition is occasioned by lack of hygiene, but lice, and their progeny in the form of eggs commonly called nits, do spread to healthy and clean scalps. The nits attach to the hair close to the scalp and take nine days to hatch with a further nine days for the larvae to mature. It is a condition which gives rise to physical discomfort in the form of skin irritation called pediculosis which can escalate if not properly treated into secondary infection similar to impetigo. More serious infection can occur in cases of severe deprivation.

The condition of having head lice also brings with it stigmatic distress particularly since in the past it has been associated emotively and somewhat erroneously, in the main, with poverty and lack of cleanliness.

An object of the invention is to provide a method of and a preparation for the treatment of parasitic infestation which are more efficacious than conventional means, less toxic and less harmful to the environment.

According to a first aspect the invention provides a method of treating or preventing parasitic infestation including the step of applying to the infected area a preparation containing acetic acid.

According to a second aspect of the invention a preparation when used in the treatment of parasitic infestation contains acetic acid.

The acid content of the preparation may be up to 7% and preferably 5% or less.

The preparation may be in liquid form, incorporated into a shampoo, or may be in the form of a medicament as an ointment, lotion or a cream or even in pulverulent form after appropriate processing for example as a powder or dust. In the alternative, the preparation may be supplied in the form of an aerosol spray.

Advantageously, the preparation may be distilled malt vinegar in an undiluted or diluted state, the dilution being with water or other suitable diluent. The preparation may consist of other types of vinegar.

The vinegar may be produced in conventional manner and may be that generally available commercially.

In one example, the method of the invention is applied to head hair as a curative or preventative measure and may conveniently be applied after normal washing of the hair with a proprietary shampoo and after subsequent rinsing when the hair is still wet. The method of application may be by spray or merely dabbed on manually, or brushed in. The scalp may also receive treatment and the preparation may advantageously be massaged into the scalp.

In the alternative, the preparation may be applied when the hair is dry.

It has been found by usage that regular treatment of head hair using the method and preparation of the present invention is both a curative and continuing preventative means of eradicating lice and of providing an on-going hostile environment to these parasites.

It is to be understood that whilst the present invention has been described principally as being applicable to the treatment of humans with a parasitic infestation condition, it is also applicable to animals subject thereto.

The preparation of the present invention may be used in a preventative mode whereby it is applied at regular intervals in order to prevent reinfestation.

It may also be the case that the invention has application to parasites other than lice and nits and accordingly the treatment of parasitic infestation generally in humans or animals using the present invention falls within its scope.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of treating or preventing parasitic infestation including the step of applying a preparation containing acetic acid to the infected area or the area of potential infection.
2. A method according to Claim 1 in which the infected area or the area of potential infection is human head hair and/or the scalp and the application of the preparation is effected after washing of the area when still wet.
3. A method according to Claim 1 in which the infected area or the area of potential infection is human head hair and/or the scalp and the application of the preparation is effected when the area is dry.
4. A method according to Claim 1 in which the infected area or the area of potential infection is in animal hair.
5. A method of treating or preventing parasitic infestation substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. A preparation when used in the method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, the preparation containing acetic acid.
7. A preparation according to Claim 6 in which the acid content thereof is up to 7 %.
8. A preparation according to Claim 6 or 7 in which the preparation is distilled malt vinegar.
9. A preparation according to any one of Claims 6 to 8 in which the preparation is in liquid form, incorporated into a shampoo.
10. A preparation according to any one of Claims 6 to 8 in which the preparation is in the form of a medicament as an ointment, lotion or a cream or in a powder or dust form.
11. A preparation when used in the treatment or prevention of parasitic infestation substantially as hereinbefore described.