Method, composition and kit to remove lice ova from the hair

Abstract

A composition for removal of lice ova or nits from the hair of human subjects comprises about 1-50% by weight of dimethylisosorbide (DMI) in an aqueous vehicle having a neutral to acidic pH. The composition is preferably in the form of a gel or a liquid shampoo, the shampoo preferably including an active pediculicidal or ovicidal agent. A method of removing lice ova from human hair comprises the application of the novel composition to the hair and subsequent removal thereof, e.g., by rinsing with water. Any unremoved ova can be physically dislodged by combing. The composition can also be included with a fine tooth nit comb in a kit for removal of lice ova from human hair.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A composition for loosening or dislodging lice ova from the hair of a human subject, comprising about 1-50% dimethylisosorbide (DMI) by weight in an aqueous vehicle.  
     
     
         2 . A composition according to  claim 1  which comprises about 5-25% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 1  which is in the form of a gel, cream, liquid or lotion.  
     
     
         4 . A composition according to  claim 3  which is in the form of a gel.  
     
     
         5 . A composition according to  claim 4  which additionally comprises purified water and a thickening agent.  
     
     
         6 . A composition according to  claim 3  which has a pH of about 6-7.  
     
     
         7 . A composition according to  claim 3  which additionally comprises an acid.  
     
     
         8 . A composition according to  claim 7  wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic, citric, formic, lactic, malic, phosphoric or trichloroacetic acids.  
     
     
         9 . A composition according to  claim 7  which has a pH of about 2-5.  
     
     
         10 . A composition according to  claim 3  which additionally comprises a conditioning agent, an emollient, an emulsifier or a surfactant.  
     
     
         11 . A composition according to  claim 3  which is in the form of a liquid.  
     
     
         12 . A composition according to  claim 11  which is in the form of a liquid shampoo.  
     
     
         13 . A composition according to  claim 12  which comprises purified water and a detergent.  
     
     
         14 . A composition according to  claim 13  which additionally comprises an antioxidant, a thickener or a coupling agent.  
     
     
         15 . A composition according to  claim 11  which additionally comprises an effective amount of an active pediculicidal or ovicidal agent.  
     
     
         16 . A composition according to  claim 15  wherein said agent comprises pyrethrins.  
     
     
         17 . A composition according to  claim 16  which additionally comprises a pyrethrin synergist.  
     
     
         18 . A composition according to  claim 17  wherein said pyrethrin synergist is piperonyl butoxide.  
     
     
         19 . A gel composition for loosening or dislodging lice ova from the hair of a human subject, comprising about 5-25% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         20 . A composition according to  claim 19  which additionally comprises purified water and a thickening agent.  
     
     
         21 . A gel composition according to  claim 20  wherein the thickening agent is xanthan gum.  
     
     
         22 . A gel composition according to  claim 19  which has a pH of about 6-7.  
     
     
         23 . A gel composition according to  claim 19  which additionally comprises about 2-8% by weight of an acid.  
     
     
         24 . A gel composition according to  claim 23  wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic, citric, formic, lactic, malic, phosphoric or trichloroacetic acids.  
     
     
         25 . A gel composition according to  claim 24  wherein said acid is acetic acid.  
     
     
         26 . A gel composition according to  claim 25  which contains about 5% by weight of acetic acid.  
     
     
         27 . A gel composition according to  claim 23  which has a pH of about 2-5.  
     
     
         28 . A gel composition according to  claim 19  comprising about 5% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         29 . A gel composition according to  claim 19  comprising about 10% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         30 . A gel composition according to  claim 19  comprising about 15% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         31 . A liquid shampoo composition for loosening or dislodging lice ova from the hair of a human subject, comprising about 5-25% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         32 . A shampoo composition according to  claim 32  wherein said vehicle comprises purified water and a detergent.  
     
     
         33 . A shampoo composition according to  claim 31  which additionally comprises an effective amount of an active pediculicidal or ovicidal agent.  
     
     
         34 . A shampoo composition according to  claim 33  wherein said agent comprises pyrethrins.  
     
     
         35 . A shampoo composition according to  claim 34  which additionally comprises a pyrethrin synergist.  
     
     
         36 . A shampoo composition according to  claim 35  wherein said pyrethrin synergist is piperonyl butoxide.  
     
     
         37 . A method of removing lice ova from the hair shafts in a hairy area of a human body, comprising: a) applying to the hairy area an effective lice-egg loosening amount of a composition comprising about 1-50% dimethylisosorbide (DMI) by weight in an aqueous vehicle; and b) removing said composition from the hairy area.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said composition comprises about 5-25% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said composition is in the form of a gel, cream, liquid or lotion.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 39  wherein said composition is in the form of a gel.  
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 40  wherein said composition additionally comprises purified water and a thickening agent.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 40  wherein said composition has a pH of about 6-7.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 40  wherein said composition additionally comprises an acid.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 43  wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic, citric, formic, lactic, malic, phosphoric or trichloroacetic acids.  
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 43  wherein said composition has a pH of about 2-5.  
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 40  wherein said composition additionally comprises a conditioning agent, an emollient, an emulsifier or a surfactant  
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 46  wherein said composition is in the form of a liquid shampoo.  
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 47  herein said composition comprises purified water and a detergent.  
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 48  wherein said composition additionally comprises an antioxidant, a thickener or a coupling agent.  
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 47  wherein said composition additionally comprises an effective amount of an active pediculicidal or ovicidal agent.  
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 50  wherein said agent comprises pyrethrins.  
     
     
         52 . A method according to  claim 51  wherein said composition additionally comprises a pyrethrin synergist.  
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 52  wherein said pyrethrin synergist is piperonyl butoxide.  
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 38  wherein said composition comprises about 5% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         55 . A method according to  claim 38  wherein said composition comprises about 10% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 38  wherein said composition comprises about 25% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         57 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said hairy area is the scalp.  
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said hairy area is the underarm area, the pubic area or the chest.  
     
     
         59 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said lice ova are head lice ova.  
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said lice ova are crab lice ova or body lice ova.  
     
     
         61 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said composition is removed from the hairy area by rinsing with water.  
     
     
         62 . A method according to  claim 37  which additionally comprises the step of physically removing from the hairy area any ova remaining after removal of said composition.  
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 62  wherein said remaining ova are removed by combing or brushing the hairy area.  
     
     
         64 . A method according to  claim 63  wherein said remaining ova are removed by combing the hairy area with a fine tooth comb.  
     
     
         65 . A kit for use in removing lice ova from the hair shafts in a hairy area of a human body, including: a) a composition comprising about 1-50% dimethylisosorbide (DMI) by weight in an aqueous vehcile; and b) a fine tooth comb.  
     
     
         66 . A kit according to  claim 65  wherein said composition comprises about 5-25% DMI by weight.  
     
     
         67 . A kit according to  claim 65  wherein said composition is in the form of a gel.  
     
     
         68 . A kit according to  claim 65  wherein said composition is in the form of a liquid shampoo.  
     
     
         69 . A kit according to  claim 65  which additionally includes an instruction guide for use of said kit to remove the lice ova.