Every school year, without fail, someone’s kid comes home with head lice. What will you do when it’s your child who gets the creepy crawlies in her head? Watch out, because they’re coming after you, too.
No Fly Guy
There are several misnomers about lice. Yes, they are lousy, not because they’re dangerous, but because they’re obnoxious. They make your head itch, and it’s a pain to get rid of them. They will not, however, make you sick. They don’t bite, sting, or carry any diseases.
People can get different types of lice. There are the ones that stick to the hair on your head, the ones that travel in pubic hair, and another kind found on the body. Only body lice spread disease. But don’t worry too much about your child bringing home pubic or body lice.
No type of lice flies. They also don’t hop or jump. All they do is crawl. That’s why your scalp itches. Humans are the only host to head lice. Your dog can’t get them or transfer them, and if they’re off a human head, they die in about seven days.
Super Lice
Super lice aren’t any bigger than their lice ancestors. They’ve been given this name recently because they are becoming resistant to over-the-counter poison treatment. Generally, a shampoo that contains permethrin and pyrethrin will kill the buggers.
Lately, however, families are having difficulty ridding their household heads of lice using traditional formulas. Implementing non-chemicals remedies are being used, and many of them are working.
–Mayonnaise may do the job. It’s safe, and you probably don’t have to go out and buy any. Experienced users suggest you massage it into your hair and cover with a shower cap. Leave it in overnight. Shower in the morning and comb out the dead eggs.
-LiceDoctors.com recommends using olive oil. They explain that the louse suffocates from the thickness of the oil. They also claim that the oil helps loosen the nits (eggs) from the hair shaft.
–Petroleum jelly is another suggestion. It works the same as mayonnaise, but it’s tough to wash out of your hair the next day.
Watch out!
Being the helpful parent may get you more than you bargained for. While shaving your kids’ head or shampooing, you can get lice, too. In fact, 65% of moms get head lice from their innocent child. Siblings have it worse—they have an 85% chance of catching them!
This is the one occasion where nit-picking matters and is a good thing. You want to make sure to use a fine comb and get those buggers and eggs off the hair shaft and scalp. After the first treatment with an OTC potion or your homemade one, continue to comb daily. After a week, treat your scalp one more time. And make sure you’ve cleaned all bedding and towels thoroughly.
Teach your kids not to share hats, brushes, big headphones, or stick heads together with other children. Some recommend using tea tree or peppermint oil as a preventative way to repel lice. For more healthy tips for your family, check out www.GetThrive.com
