Hi all!
A friend approachedme today with this problem - her close friend's kindergarten age daughter has been plagued with head lice for weeks now - she keeps getting reinfected from kids at school. They really don't want to cut her very long hair. They have been using whatever pesticide shampoo their doctor told them to use, but they are at their wit's end. They are very concerned about the long term use of the shampoo also. SO....Does anyone have any experience with natural remedies or prevention for head lice?
Any input will be very much appreciated!
Thanks!
trish
Follow Ups:
Re: Head Lice - any suggestions????
Posted by Kyra on October 06, 1998 at 17:33:26:
In Reply to: Head Lice - any suggestions???? posted by trish on October 06, 1998 at 15:34:15:
Dear Trish,
Here's Kyra's unpatented, 100% effective, and devised out of desperation after returning from India when 5 months pregnant with a nasty case of full-blown head lice delousing method:
At night, before going to bed, wash hair with any shampoo. Probably a water rinse would be enough. Make sure scalp is thoroughly wet. Lightly towel dry hair. Next, apply liberal dose of Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap to hair and scalp (about half a large bottle). Work into scalp thoroughly. Don't rinse. Wrap head in lots of plastic wrap and then wrap head in thick warm towel as well. Go to bed. Feel head sweat and scalp burn. Endure all night. Next morning, wash hair with shampoo of choice. Watch the critters drop out (develop strong stomach rapidly). Have significant other or some other other painstakingly go through your hair with a nit comb, once. End of story. When I did this, my hair was down to my knees and extremely thick. So if it worked for me...
Namaste' Kyra
Follow Ups:
Re: Head Lice - any suggestions????
Posted by Walt Stoll on October 07, 1998 at 11:01:55:
In Reply to: Head Lice - any suggestions???? posted by trish on October 06, 1998 at 15:34:15:
Dear Trish,
I know that this will sound like a broken record. HOWEVER, lice are little predators just like the hyenas of the veldt. They attack the ones with the least immunity.
A serious wellness program for the child would reap results within a few weeks. If they just wanted to do one thing, just doing the elimination of refined carbohydrates perfectly for one week would make a difference they could see. I would not try to do this without Beth Loiselle, RD's book.
The pesticide IS toxic & the longer she has to use it the more toxic. Within a month of her elimiating 100% of refined carbohydrates, she will be the only one in the class without treatment OR lice.
Walt
Re: Head Lice - any suggestions????
Posted by Walt Stoll on October 07, 1998 at 11:29:16:
In Reply to: Re: Head Lice - any suggestions???? posted by Kyra on October 06, 1998 at 17:33:26:
Hey, Kyra!
Thjanks for the wonderful tip. I would not have thought of it (but now that you said it it makes a lot of sense).
I will be interested in anyone else doing this letting us know how it worked but I bet it works for everybody.
Namaste` Walt
Re: Head Lice - any suggestions????
Posted by trish on October 07, 1998 at 11:58:22:
In Reply to: Re: Head Lice - any suggestions???? posted by Kyra on October 06, 1998 at 17:33:26:
Kyra's own patented method? WOW! Thanks so much, Kyra! I will pass this info along and let you know if they try it...I'm wondering if a kindergarten kid would tolerate a burning scalp all night, but if she wants to save her hair, maybe she'll go for it!
I'm impressed that you had hair down to your knees! I have a hard time letting it get past my ears!!!
Thanks again!
namaste'
trish
Re: Head Lice - any suggestions????
Posted by Phyllis A. on October 07, 1998 at 15:56:06:
In Reply to: Head Lice - any suggestions???? posted by trish on October 06, 1998 at 15:34:15:
A cheap method that is easy to do, and easy on the kid is mayonnaise. Gob it well into the hair (all over -- completely saturated). Put a plastic shower cap on. Leave it on for several hours (or overnight) and wash it out. This method smothers them, so no chemicals or burning are involved. One application should do the trick, but if needed you can repeat.
Re: Head Lice - any suggestions????
Posted by Trissa on October 08, 1998 at 20:26:34:
In Reply to: Head Lice - any suggestions???? posted by trish on October 06, 1998 at 15:34:15:
I understand that vasoline works much the same way the mayonaisse works...it's just very difficult to get out of the hair. In the past, I used an herbal shampoo specially concocted with of a combination of fragrant and pungent essential oils. This seemed to work for us. I don't think the child is being reinfected at school per se, but that the nits aren't being killed off and are allowed to mature. They then lay eggs and the cycle perpetuates.
Good luck to your friend.
Follow Ups:
Re: Head Lice - any suggestions????
Posted by Walt Stoll on October 09, 1998 at 12:18:35:
In Reply to: Re: Head Lice - any suggestions???? posted by Trissa on October 08, 1998 at 20:26:34:
Thanks, Trissa.
I agree with you.
Walt
Re: Head Lice - any suggestions????
Posted by M.E. on November 04, 1998 at 17:29:10:
In Reply to: Head Lice - any suggestions???? posted by trish on October 06, 1998 at 15:34:15:
Don't know if you have solved your problen yet but here are a few suggestions.
1. If all other over the counter methods have been used, try Olive Oil. NOT vegetable or corn oil, it has to be Olive Oil (the cheapest you can find). Put on the child's head and cover with a shower cap. Leave on for 8 to 12 hours or over night. Wash out with a regular shampoo. Olive Oil contains a natural pesticide that is not harmful to children. This method can be used as often as needed. (one mother did it every night for 7 days, her choice, and her child is now lice free)
2. You must remove ALL the nits. By hand, in strong light is the best. Check the head EVERY day.
3. If the parents are totally averse to cutting the hair, make sure the hair is braided or put up on the head (so it doesn't swing around)
4. During the winter months, send a garbage bag to school with the child to keep all their coats, hats, mittens etc. in while at school.
5. Tell the child NOT to lay on the floor of the classroom, especially on carpeted areas.
6. Clean, clean, clean! Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! Wash, wash, wash! Throw away the vacuum bag after every cleaning. Don't waste your money on sprays. It's better just to vacuum and throw away the bag. And don't forget the to clean the car!
Hope this helps!