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Ed Yeates reportingThe American Academy of Pediatrics says a Utah invention that gets rid of head lice without chemicals works.
We first reported on early tests of the machine more than two years ago. But now, a study in the journal Pediatrics offers proof to back it up.
If you think we're nit picking - pitching another head lice story - look again. Six to twelve million people in this country get infested every year, and in each one of those years, children miss 12 to 24 million school days.
That's why a University of Utah research team began developing a novel lice killing device. It's not a hair dryer - but a specially designed medical blower.
I wanted to see what it feels like. Again, we're not talking about something as hot as a hair dryer. I could feel the warmth. What I really noticed, is the volume of air."
No chemicals, many which are becoming lice resistant. The fast moving heated air, in combination with this hair rake - kills lice and nits - by drying them out - and in only one 30 minute treatment. In the journal Pediatrics study?
Dr. Dale Clayton, University of Utah Biologist: "It kills virtually a hundred percent of the eggs and about 80% of the lice. But there appears to be a delayed effect on the lice because in the second sort of test we did - when we treated kids and went back a week later - there are no lice. The infestation is killed, virtually all the time."
The LouseBuster, as it's called, could be located in clinics - but most especially - schools.
Dr. Dale Clayton, University of Utah Biologist: "In theory, you could discover a case of head lice, send the kid down to the office, and have it dealt with. The kid goes back to class."
LouseBuster is a classic example of a basic University research project involving students - where the actual application - the spinoff product itself - came about quite by accident.
With recognition now in a prestigious medical journal, and a spinoff company producing the product, the University might see substantial royalties from LouseBuster. Those royalties will finance even more student research.
