Lice shampoo at Stiftung Warentest: The results 2018

Lice have an easy job on children’s heads

Lice feel particularly comfortable on human heads. Because the little crawlers find food there: they feed on small amounts of blood. They also find enough space for their eggs here by sticking them to the hair roots. Unfortunately, lice are also very mobile and can therefore be easily transmitted. This usually happens when two people’s hair touches. Our little ones are therefore particularly susceptible to lice infestation. Because when romping, cuddling and playing, the heads are often put together and the parasites have an easy time.

Lice shampoo put to the test by Stiftung Warentest

Since lice do not go away on their own, it is advisable to use lice shampoo. There are two different versions of this on the market: a special oil that suffocates lice and an insecticide that paralyzes the nerves of the parasites. The experts emphasize that with any lice remedy it is important to apply it generously and to avoid application errors.

The Stiftung Warentest has examined 12 lice remedies. The focus was particularly on effectiveness. Numerous studies and the latest research results regarding the effectiveness and risks of the products were also taken into account.

Lice shampoo in the test: the winners

Stiftung Warentest rated three lice shampoos for children with the best rating “suitable”. All of the winners deemed “eligible” are physical remedies containing the synthetic oil Dimethicone.

Among the winners is  the oil “Dimet 20 – Solution with Dimethicone + Dodecanol” for 22.49 euros. It convinces the experts from Stiftung Warentest with its effect and with an extremely short exposure time of 20 minutes.

Also an oil and a “suitable” winner is the preparation “EtoPril – Solution with Dimethicone”. With a price of 14.67 euros, it is significantly cheaper than the “Dimet 20” lice shampoo. The exposure time is again significantly longer here. We recommend leaving the special oil to take effect for eight hours or preferably overnight.

The third winner, the oil “Jacutin Pedicul Fluid” (14.07 euros), also convinces with its effectiveness and good tolerability. The exposure time for this product is only ten minutes and it can be used from birth if required. Stiftung Warentest advises, however, to always speak to the doctor before using the preparation in infants.

Three other preparations were also awarded the good rating “also suitable”. The lice shampoo “Goldgeist forte”, a chemical insecticide works well according to the testers. However, after a while, the lice become insensitive to the remedy. The same applies to “Infecto Pedicul – solution with permethrin”,which also received the second best grade. Without medical advice, however, this lice remedy should only be used from the age of three years.

The effectiveness of the “Mosquito Med Lice Shampoo” was only proven by one study, which according to the experts was “well done” and therefore meaningful. The agent contains mineral oil, which Stiftung Warentest checked but does not consider critical.

Lice shampoo: The losers of the test

The following four lice remedies received the rating “suitable with restrictions”:

• “Licener – Neem Tree Extract Shampoo”
• “Linicin Lotion – Solution with Dimethicone, Vitamin E, Almond Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil”
• “Nyda – pump spray with dimeticone, triglycerides, jojoba wax”
• “Nyda plus – solution with dimeticone, triglycerides, jojoba wax”

The effectiveness of all products has been proven to be much weaker than that of comparable products, and some of them also have other disadvantages. For example, the product “Nyda – pump spray” is said to irritate the respiratory tract.

The Stiftung Warentest even rated two preparations as “unsuitable”: the “Jacutin Pedicul Spray – Spray with Allethrin I + Piperonyl Butoxide” and the “SOS Lice Shampoo”. There are no sufficient studies for either agent to prove their effectiveness and whether they are well tolerated. The experts have concerns about the “Jacutin Pedicul Spray” in particular. Because the spray cannot prevent fine droplets from being dispersed in the air when spraying. These can easily enter and irritate the airways.