Lifestyle Recommendations for Management of Pediculosis from the Viewpoint of Persian Medicine

Introduction: Pediculosis Capitis (head lice infestation) is the most common disease of the bloodsucking insect which affects approximately six to twenty million cases and results considerable economic burden annually. In this study we aim to investigate some medieval Persian views on the role of non-pharmacological treatment strategies for prevention and control of pediculosis and compare their prescriptions with current findings. Materials and methods: In this qualitative study, we reviewed some well-known Persian medicine (PM) textbooks based on the selected keywords (Shepesh, Reshk, Ghamal and Seyban) to collect the viewpoint of PM scholars for pediculosis and its treatments. Also, we searched in the databases such as PubMed, Science direct and Scopus about the topic. Results: Persian medicine scientists believed that there are six essential health principles (SetteZaroorieh), which can affect human health and prevent diseases including air, nutrition, exercise, sleep and wakefulness, exertion of unnecessary materials from the body and finally psychological concepts. Proper management of these essential factors can improve lifestyle of people affected with pediculosis and also play a key role in prevention of head lice infestation. Conclusion: There are several suitable recommendations for prevention and control of pediculosis according to essential health principles in PM which can consider beside current drug treatments and the individual health recommendations for complete control of the disease

Efficacy of sublingual swallow immunotherapy in children with rye grass pollen allergic rhinitis: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Specific local immunotherapy has been recently introduced as an alternative to classic subcutaneous immunotherapy in treatment of allergic rhinitis. In this study, the effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on symptoms and medication score and skin prick test evaluation of patients with allergic rhinitis were investigated.In this placebo controlled trial, twenty four patients aged 5-18 years old with grass pollen induced rhinitis and sensitive to rye grass by positive skin prick test received randomly sublingual extract of rye grass or placebo for 6 months. Symptom and medication scores and adverse effects of SLIT were assessed during treatment. Skin prick test induced wheal at the beginning and the end of therapy were also measured. Data were analyzed with SPSS software.We found significant reduction of symptoms in intervention group from 21st week of immunotherapy (p<0.05). Medication scores were also reduced after 16th week (p<0.05), adverse effects were low and insignificant in both groups. Erythema induced diameter with skin prick test for grass and rye grass was significantly reduced in SLI group after immunotherapy.This study indicates that SLIT in grass-pollen rhinitis is well tolerated, improves overall clinical symptoms, and reduces drug consumes. We recommend this therapy as a safe therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis.