Effectiveness of Permethrin Impregnated Underwear in Preventing Louse Proliferation in Infected Homeless

Summary

Homelessness, also name the fourth world, is a growing public health problem worldwide. Previous studies showed that up to 30% of the homeless people reported pruritus that often results in itchy lesions, which expose them to bacterial skin infections. The investigators therefore conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test the hypothesis that a single oral dose of ivermectin was effective in significantly reducing the prevalence of pruritus in a sheltered homeless population.

Timeline

Start

2011-01

Primary completion

2012-05

Completion

2012-05

Publications

• Benkouiten S, Drali R, Badiaga S, Veracx A, Giorgi R, Raoult D, Brouqui P. Effect of permethrin-impregnated underwear on body lice in sheltered homeless persons: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2014 Mar;150(3):273-9. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.6398.

Drugs

Indications