Head Lice

Here is a method that helps parents get rid of head lice:

Head lice are known to mostly affect young children. It can be very painful to watch your children constantly scratching their head with irritation. Hence, to get rid of head lice problems, it is essential for you to start treatments at the earliest. Following are some treatment methods:

1. Insecticides can be very efficient in helping your child get rid of head lice. Some recommended insecticides are:

• Permethrin: It is a very popular lice repellant and is the preferred first-line treatment for head lice. Permethrin 1% (Nix) is easily available over the counter whereas permithrin 5% (Elimite) is available only by prescription. Permithrin is essentially a cream rinse designed to leave a residue after rinsing. This kills both the existing and emerging nymphs. Its reapplication is usually not required.

• Pyrethins Plus Piperonyl Butoxide (Rid): This is another preferred insecticide that can be instrumental in helping your child get rid of head lice. After the first shampoo treatment, 20-30% of the lice eggs remain viable. Hence, a second treatment may be required. You need to apply it to your child’s hair within 7-10 days of the first treatment.

• Malathion: It is a prescription lotion that can get rid of head lice. You need to apply this lotion to your child’s hair and leave it to air dry for 8-12 hours. Malathion has a high alcohol content and is highly inflammable. It can also cause difficulty in breathing if ingested. Hence, it is recommended that you use this lotion only in case of resistant head lice.

2. Another method to get rid of head lice involves the use of smothering agents such as Vaseline or mayonnaise. You can smother your child’s hair with these agents, leave it for a few hours and then wash it off. Smothering agents kill head lice by suffocating them.

3. If you don’t trust Vaseline or mayonnaise to help you get rid of head lice, you can consider making a natural head lice shampoo. For this, you’ll have to prepare a mixture of five teaspoons of Pure Olive Carrier Oil (or Pure Coconut Carrier Oil), five drops of Peppermint Essential Oil, five drops of Lavender Essential Oil, five drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil, and five drops of Rosemary Essential Oil. You can add a little amount of regular head lice shampoo to this concoction. Thereafter, you need to apply it thoroughly and diligently over you child’s scalp and head. Leave it for approximately an hour and then rinse it well. This is one of the best ways to get rid of head lice.

By following these simple but effective methods, you can surely get rid of head lice problem.