Survey says 59% of Filipinos have lice

A rapid survey conducted by the GfK NOP Consumer Research revealed that 59 percent of the Philippine population is afflicted with the disease Pediculosis Capitis, meaning, infestation of the scalp by lice and nits. Children aged 4 – 10 are heavily affected, majority of whom are girls. About 34 percent of elementary school children in public schools have this problem.

Another recent study commissioned by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports that surveyed samples of the country’s public school population yielded that the third problem discovered to be afflicting public school students next to dental and oral problems is also the same lice infestation that is declared as the culprit in lowering the scholastic performance of children in grade school.

Lice distract pupils from paying attention to their daily lessons as they continuously experience itchiness of scalp due to the blood-sucking lice and the sensation of lice crawling on their scalp. Such itchiness make the pupils always scratch their heads instead of listening to what is being tackled in class. The itchiness interrupts any routine in school and prevents pupils from faring well not only in academics but also in extra- and co-curricular activities.

Scalp itchiness, more often than not, means lice bites and not just the crawling sensation of lice. When scratched, these bites turn into small wounds or head scabies. For lack of information on how to deal with such infestation, many parents have to rely on the traditional suyod and hand picking of lice and nits which can take forever without really eliminating all the lice and nits on their children’s heads. While they manage to reduce these, with the rapid rate of lice reproduction, whatever they get to kill end up getting replaced by newborn nits.

Out of desperation, some parents have experimented with radical ways of dealing with lice. Some use insect chalk in an effort to corner lice; others use kerosene. These were never proven to work, so parents are to be dissuaded from resorting to them. Worse, they harm the scalp with repeated use.

Sources from the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and the Philippine Dermatological Society revealed the safe, reliable way of dealing with the problem of lice and nits – it is through a substance called Pyrethrin that kills lice and nits and eliminates the itchiness they cause.

In order to address this alarming situation, Lamoiyan Corporation, makers of Hapee toothpaste, introduces another innovative brand that answers to lice woes and problems. Licealiz is the only head lice treatment shampoo with Pyrethrin which was identified by the Philippine Dermatological Society to be effective in killing lice and nits. This product was released only after a thorough study of the real situation and only after clinical tests on the product appropriately named Licealiz.

According to Lamoiyan president and CEO, Dr. Cecilio Pedro, Licealiz is a non-toxic, fragrant, safe-to-use shampoo with a special conditioning formula that leaves hair soft, smooth and lice- and nit-free after at least two times of shampooing following proper directions. Treatment usage is twice a week in two weeks. 

A product that is affordably priced and is safe for regular use, Licealiz leaves a cooling effect on the scalp that more and more people are getting to appreciate as they make their own move to exterminate their “pet lice.” Licealiz is available in two variants - Regular and Soothing Coolness. All variants are available in 60ml bottles and 10ml sachets at PHP 71.75 and PHP 9.50 respectively.

Licealiz is available in leading drugstores, groceries and supermarkets. For comments, call 823-8072.