Raymond
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Today the problem of head lice can or even has reached epidemic proportions in some public schools, as well as other group settings, such as childcare centers. Time and again children are sent home with lice, even back in New Zealand so I´m interested to get the lay of the lice problem here, do any expat mums know what´s the heads-up is on the iritating little buggers is? Generally back home, after treatment they are sent back to school only to catch lice again within a month or two. For the boys its definitely easier as those butch little cits look kinda cool on them, but girls it isn´t so easy.
The head lice epidemic in public schools is truly a nightmare for some parents, especially if their family has a case of persistent head lice. With persistent head lice, many treatments don´t seem to work, and even after several treatments the lice and nits are still in the hair, and resort to hiring a chimpanzee from the zoological gardens.
The best way to tackle the head lice problem is by taking preventative measures. Once your family has head lice, getting rid of it can be very difficult, not to mention a lot of hard work, so it makes sense that taking preventative precautions is one of your best defenses against these parasitic insects.
If you have children that are school age, or in childcare, make sure that they understand first of all, what lice is. Ensure that they understand having lice does not make them bad, or dirty, but that it can be miserable and hard to get rid of.
Now for some HEAD LICE MYTHS
- Head lice can jump from person to person: This is untrue; head lice cannot jump or fly unless trained. They spread through direct contact, or indirectly by means of personal items such as hat, combs, brushes etc.
- You can treat a head lice infestation with petroleum jelly: Though a petroleum jelly may smother lice, it will not kill the nits, or lice eggs. In addition, it is very hard to remove it from the hair.
- You can use gasoline or kerosene to kill head lice: CAUTION! This is not only an extremely ineffective means of trying to treat head lice; it also does not work, and your child could blow-up in your face. You should never use gasoline or kerosene on any part of the body as the fumes are combustible and may cause injury or death.
FACT: Many children have been hurt or killed when parents try to use this form of treatment. I´m not super surprised.
- Lice can transmit disease: Though head lice are an uncomfortable and embarrassing condition, it has few risks. The danger is in a rash or lacerations on the scalp due to scratching that may become infected.
- Clean people do not get head lice: This is completely untrue. Anyone can catch head lice, no matter how clean they are. In fact, head lice prefer a clean, healthy scalp, but it matters little to these tiny insects whose head they infest.
-Small charges of electricity to the hair follicle will electrocute the lice: Look, refer back to the kerosene example
Let your children know what types of behavior will increase their chances of being exposed to head lice. Ask them not to share coats, hats, brushes or any other personal items at school
Teaching your children not to share personal items will go a long way in helping to prevent a head lice infestation in your family, but often it´s not enough. While your children are spending time within group settings, such as school or preschool, you should vigilantly check their hair at least once a week if not every day for signs of head lice or nits.
The best way to do this is by using a specially designed comb for removing head lice, they are common enough to find usually metallic and have super fine teeth. Under a bright light, examine your child´s head for any signs of the insects, and also run the comb through their hair to remove any possible freeloading louse.
The work you will face if your child does bring home head lice is massive. Once your family has head lice you will be faced with treating the hair multiple times, as well as nightly combing to remove nits. Even then you won´t be done; you will have to deal with the monumental task of vacuuming and cleaning every surface in your home, washing endless laundry, and even delousing your car.
Over the past several years there has been some speculation about the toxicity of over-the-counter and prescription head lice treatments. Some doctors believe that too much toxin makes it into the blood stream when using these types of treatments; this is especially true for children, and pregnant women. The level of toxins that could make it into the blood increases with repeated use, which may be necessary in the case of a re-infestation.
SIDE NOTE: This is just part of the argument against using hair straightening products containing large quantities of FORMOL.
Another drawback to these head lice treatments is that the lice are becoming resistant to the pesticides in the treatments. This often results in either the treatment not working at all, or a very quick re-infestation.
As a result of the toxins in the treatments, and their increasing inability to kill lice, many people have turned to home remedies. While healthcare professionals have recommended some of these home remedies, others have been used for years as a treatment for head lice.
The Last Supper:
Pediatricians often recommend this treatment as an alternative to commercial treatments.
Saturate the hair with real mayonnaise, and cover the head with a shower cap. Let the mayonnaise sit in hair for at least eight hours and then wash out. After washing the hair, carefully run a nit comb through the hair to remove lice and nits. The treatment should be repeated every few days for about a week and a half.
The Fresh Minty Blast:
Saturate hair with Listerine and place shower cap on head; leaving it place for at least 2 hours. After this, rinse hair and comb with metal nit removal comb. All lice should be dead at this point and smell minty fresh. Next you will need to saturate the hair with white vinegar, and again place the washed shower cap on the hair for 1 hour. After 1 hour, you can remove the shower cap to shampoo and condition hair. Again, comb hair with the nit removal comb.
The Oil & Lube Job:
Use equal amounts of Coconut Shampoo & Tea Tree Oil. Lather through hair and then use a shower cap. Let the mixture set on the head for at least two hours before rinsing. Apply a coconut conditioner, and carefully comb hair with a metal nit removal comb. Use this treatment at least three times over a two-week period, making sure to comb through the hair each time. Wash all bedding, as well as coats and scarves, and soak combs, brushes, and other hair items in boiling water.
Good luck using any of these on a squirmy little ankle biter, but if you do please send me photos to my blog!
Good waves and hair days, Raymond E Lee
The head lice epidemic in public schools is truly a nightmare for some parents, especially if their family has a case of persistent head lice. With persistent head lice, many treatments don´t seem to work, and even after several treatments the lice and nits are still in the hair, and resort to hiring a chimpanzee from the zoological gardens.
The best way to tackle the head lice problem is by taking preventative measures. Once your family has head lice, getting rid of it can be very difficult, not to mention a lot of hard work, so it makes sense that taking preventative precautions is one of your best defenses against these parasitic insects.
If you have children that are school age, or in childcare, make sure that they understand first of all, what lice is. Ensure that they understand having lice does not make them bad, or dirty, but that it can be miserable and hard to get rid of.
Now for some HEAD LICE MYTHS
- Head lice can jump from person to person: This is untrue; head lice cannot jump or fly unless trained. They spread through direct contact, or indirectly by means of personal items such as hat, combs, brushes etc.
- You can treat a head lice infestation with petroleum jelly: Though a petroleum jelly may smother lice, it will not kill the nits, or lice eggs. In addition, it is very hard to remove it from the hair.
- You can use gasoline or kerosene to kill head lice: CAUTION! This is not only an extremely ineffective means of trying to treat head lice; it also does not work, and your child could blow-up in your face. You should never use gasoline or kerosene on any part of the body as the fumes are combustible and may cause injury or death.
FACT: Many children have been hurt or killed when parents try to use this form of treatment. I´m not super surprised.
- Lice can transmit disease: Though head lice are an uncomfortable and embarrassing condition, it has few risks. The danger is in a rash or lacerations on the scalp due to scratching that may become infected.
- Clean people do not get head lice: This is completely untrue. Anyone can catch head lice, no matter how clean they are. In fact, head lice prefer a clean, healthy scalp, but it matters little to these tiny insects whose head they infest.
-Small charges of electricity to the hair follicle will electrocute the lice: Look, refer back to the kerosene example
Let your children know what types of behavior will increase their chances of being exposed to head lice. Ask them not to share coats, hats, brushes or any other personal items at school
Teaching your children not to share personal items will go a long way in helping to prevent a head lice infestation in your family, but often it´s not enough. While your children are spending time within group settings, such as school or preschool, you should vigilantly check their hair at least once a week if not every day for signs of head lice or nits.
The best way to do this is by using a specially designed comb for removing head lice, they are common enough to find usually metallic and have super fine teeth. Under a bright light, examine your child´s head for any signs of the insects, and also run the comb through their hair to remove any possible freeloading louse.
The work you will face if your child does bring home head lice is massive. Once your family has head lice you will be faced with treating the hair multiple times, as well as nightly combing to remove nits. Even then you won´t be done; you will have to deal with the monumental task of vacuuming and cleaning every surface in your home, washing endless laundry, and even delousing your car.
Over the past several years there has been some speculation about the toxicity of over-the-counter and prescription head lice treatments. Some doctors believe that too much toxin makes it into the blood stream when using these types of treatments; this is especially true for children, and pregnant women. The level of toxins that could make it into the blood increases with repeated use, which may be necessary in the case of a re-infestation.
SIDE NOTE: This is just part of the argument against using hair straightening products containing large quantities of FORMOL.
Another drawback to these head lice treatments is that the lice are becoming resistant to the pesticides in the treatments. This often results in either the treatment not working at all, or a very quick re-infestation.
As a result of the toxins in the treatments, and their increasing inability to kill lice, many people have turned to home remedies. While healthcare professionals have recommended some of these home remedies, others have been used for years as a treatment for head lice.
The Last Supper:
Pediatricians often recommend this treatment as an alternative to commercial treatments.
Saturate the hair with real mayonnaise, and cover the head with a shower cap. Let the mayonnaise sit in hair for at least eight hours and then wash out. After washing the hair, carefully run a nit comb through the hair to remove lice and nits. The treatment should be repeated every few days for about a week and a half.
The Fresh Minty Blast:
Saturate hair with Listerine and place shower cap on head; leaving it place for at least 2 hours. After this, rinse hair and comb with metal nit removal comb. All lice should be dead at this point and smell minty fresh. Next you will need to saturate the hair with white vinegar, and again place the washed shower cap on the hair for 1 hour. After 1 hour, you can remove the shower cap to shampoo and condition hair. Again, comb hair with the nit removal comb.
The Oil & Lube Job:
Use equal amounts of Coconut Shampoo & Tea Tree Oil. Lather through hair and then use a shower cap. Let the mixture set on the head for at least two hours before rinsing. Apply a coconut conditioner, and carefully comb hair with a metal nit removal comb. Use this treatment at least three times over a two-week period, making sure to comb through the hair each time. Wash all bedding, as well as coats and scarves, and soak combs, brushes, and other hair items in boiling water.
Good luck using any of these on a squirmy little ankle biter, but if you do please send me photos to my blog!
Good waves and hair days, Raymond E Lee
