Licefreee!

Licefreee! is the name of a topical non-toxic homeopathic preparation claimed to be of benefit for infestation by ectoparasites, specifically lice, in humans. The product uses sodium chloride diluted to homeopathic levels in a gel.[1] The product was developed by and is manufactured by Tec Labs in Albany, Oregon.[2][3]

Licefreee! gel was first marketed in 1999 as an alternative to delousing treatments that used the insecticides pyrethrum and permethrin. [4] However, claims of any homeopathic preparation's efficacy beyond the placebo effect are unsupported by the collective weight of scientific and clinical evidence.[5][6]

Sponsorship

In 2006 Licefreee! sponsored The United States PTA's “Keeping Kids Lice Free” program to help schools comply with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines for head lice prevention and control.[7] The manufacturer supplied schools and medical professionals with educational videos on how to conduct a head lice check program as well as how to identify and treat infestations.[8]

References

  1. ^ Wikipatents Official Website. US Patent 6607716
  2. ^ Business Briefs, The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sep. 1, 2003. [1]
  3. ^ Dan Morse, “Creepy-Crawly Neighbors; At the ‘Bughouse’ in Maryland Suburb, Insects are Primary Residents,” Washington Post, Jan. 3, 2006 [2]
  4. ^ Licefreee! Official Website [3]
  5. ^ Ernst E (2002), "A systematic review of systematic reviews of homeopathy", Br J Clin Pharmacol 54 (6): 577–582, doi:10.1046/j.1365-2125.2002.01699.x, PMC 1874503, PMID 12492603, http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1874503 .
  6. ^ "Effectiveness of homeopathy", National Health Service, http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Homeopathy/Pages/Results.aspx?url=Pages/What-it-is.aspx, retrieved 2009-03-25 .
  7. ^ Deborah Kotz, “A Real Head-Scratcher: Schools are Struggling with How Best to Handle Lice,” US News and World Report, Oct. 2, 2006 [4]
  8. ^ "Tec Laboratories Named Proud Sponsor of National PTA," PTA Official Website, June 2, 2006 [5]

External links