effective ways to kill head lice€¦ · that can be just as effective, and even if you need to buy...
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Effective Ways to Kill Head Lice By Caroline Aslanian & the Wellness Team
Every school year, thousands children get head lice. As a parent, I feared ever having to deal with this. I’d heard the horror stories of putting every non-washable cloth item into plastic garbage bags for three weeks, covering each child’s head with chemicals, and cleaning every horizontal surface in the house. Ugh!! Well guess what? Several of us moms on the Wellness team have dealt with it… and we’ve all survived. Here are some things that have worked for us that we’d like to share with you so you won’t have to scratch your head wondering what to do - just in case these unwelcome guests decide to show up on your doorstep.
First of all, most people know that head lice can come home on anyone; there’s no rhyme or reason to it. In fact, it’s said that lice actually prefer clean (non-oily) hair. However, regular combing of your child’s hair in good lighting, and periodically with a lice comb, will help you to more quickly spot these critters. The earlier they are detected, the easier your job will be!
So…what are Lice and what do they look like?
Lice are blood parasites that carry several blood borne fevers and diseases, some of which can be fatal before they
are properly diagnosed. Always tell your doctor if you suspect head louse, or if your child develops a high fever after
being around another child who is battling head louse. Because lice are so tiny and are prolific reproducers of nits
(eggs), you can get a heavy infestation before you even know what happened.
Here’s some photos we found on ladibugsinc.com:
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Yikes! If we want to get rid of these buggers as quickly as possible, what’s wrong with chemical based lice shampoos?
The scalp is one of the most absorbent parts of the body. Products applied to the scalp are absorbed transdermally
and then go directly to the bloodstream, without being filtered in any way. Pesticide-based lice shampoos contain
ingredients that have been linked to Muscular Dystrophy, are known or suspected to cause cancer, affect the
nervous system, and have other harmful effects, such as triggering asthma or allergic responses. Children, especially
children with asthma and allergies, are more vulnerable than adults to these chemicals. Immediate symptoms from
the pesticides in these lice treatments include headaches and nausea that can last about two weeks. Latent risks,
later in life, from exposure to these serious neurotoxins are not yet known.
Furthermore, lice are becoming increasingly resistant to over-the-counter toxic products: yet another incentive to
steer clear of them.
A Better Solution
Fortunately, there are several home remedies that have been clinically studied and proven to kill lice, offering safe and effective options should these non-discriminatory parasites target your family.
Head lice can be eliminated - and they can be eliminated without using toxic chemicals, and without spending lots
of money. The main key in almost all remedies is in the comb. A recent study in the British Medical Journal found
that finely combing wet hair with a comb specially designed for head lice was four times more effective in getting
rid of head lice than Malathion or Permethrin based lice shampoos. The National Pediculosis (the scientific name for lice) Association agrees. This non-profit group has been working
for years to help parents eliminate lice without exposing their children to harmful chemicals.
!1 http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/lice.htm is an article describing the common pesticides used in chemical
treatments, and their potential side effects.
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Products To Kill Head Lice and Nits (Please note: We are not promoting any of these products – these are simply things that have worked for us.)
1. NitFree Terminator Comb This reusable comb, available at Amazon for about $11, removes lice and nits without damage to the hair.
2. Quit Nits This product is a non-toxic, scientifically proven, complete head lice kit. Although it claims that combing isn't required (since it kills lice and nits, causing them to naturally come off within a week), it may be prudent to section off small amounts of hair and comb while in the shower or tub. Be sure to apply an ample amount of conditioner to soften the hair and make it slippery for the nits to slide off the hair shaft.
3. Fairy Tales Fairy Tales “Lice Good-Bye” is a non-toxic mousse designed to help wash away lice and their eggs (nits). It has been clinically proven to dissolve "nit glue" allowing easy removal of lice.
4. Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Rosemary Mint Shampoo Purchasing a natural shampoo containing either of the above ingredients is also highly effective. In all cases,
manual removal done diligently for a couple of weeks is also recommended. Many have had good success with
ClearLice products, which use table salt along with plant extracts such as Tea tree oil and mint.
Money-Saving Home Made Remedies While we’ve each had success with the various products listed above, you may have items in your home right now
that can be just as effective, and even if you need to buy some of the items, you’ll likely still save money. However,
we do highly recommend purchasing a metal lice comb if you don’t already have one.
1. Shampoo:
You can make your own preventative shampoo by adding a few drops of Neem, Tea Tree, and/or Mint oil to the regular shampoo your family uses. Because the first two mentioned are antibacterial,
antifungal, and antiviral, I personally would want to include at least one of them if you have a current
infestation. Wash in (comfortably) hot water.
Follow with the lice comb while hair is wet, one section at a time, dipping the comb in hot water after pulling
through the hair each time. Carefully wipe down or wash the comb between sections of hair. This can take up to an hour.
2. Leave-in Oils:
After shampooing and combing out hair with a lice comb, try massaging the following oil mixture into the hair
and scalp, then place the hair in a shower cap - ideally overnight. Rinse and dry hair in the morning. (Drying
instructions below)
1/3 cup Olive Oil
1/3 cup Coconut Oil (warmed just until liquid)
12 drops Tea Tree Oil
Alternatively, applying a skin lotion safe for kids, then drying with a hair-dryer and leaving on overnight has also
been shown to be effective.
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3. Hair Dryer:
Utilizing a hand-held hair dryer to dry out sections of hair after applying any of these treatments desiccates eggs
and lice, killing most of the eggs and some hatched lice as well, and making for easier removal.
The Technique: In tests, a normal hair dryer aimed at the base of hair, divided into 20 large sections, killed
55.3% of hatched lice and 97.9% of lice eggs after a 30 minutes blow drying session - or longer if not
completely dry. Even temperature is key. (Chemical products tested, had a lower kill rate of 60% for lice
eggs.)** After shampooing and combing with a metal lice comb, drying with a hair dryer is a good
complimentary practice to shorten the duration of the infestation. There is also a very effective commercial dryer
available called the LouseBuster which some salons use.
4. Coconut oil:
Researchers compared the effectiveness of a coconut oil and anise spray versus the commonly prescribed
permethrin lotion for the treatment of head lice. According to authors:
“the coconut and anise spray can be a significantly more effective alternative treatment."
Methods to Kill Lice and Nits in the Home
Once you have treated yourself and kids (or during if you have someone to help you) it’s time to strip down the beds
and clean any fabric covered items in the home and car, including carpets. You will also want to wash any clothing,
such as jackets, that have been worn in the last two weeks, as well as used towels. It’s also a good idea to wipe
down non-fabric seats and couches.
How to Clean:
• Wash ALL hairbrushes and combs and put them into the HOT dishwasher.
• Wash items that can go in your washing machine in HOT water. Dry on high. Caroline likes to add a little of this
wonderful mix of essential oils in the wash with every cycle:
a) 8 oz of Witch Hazel
b) ¼ oz cinnamon,
c) ¼ oz Anis,
d) ¼ oz Ylang Ylang
e) ¼ oz Eucalyptus Lemon
• Dry clean comforters, or Dry in the dryer on high for 20 minutes. Do the same with decorative pillows and stuffed
animals. (Warning: Be careful not to place too many in the dryer at once, and keep a close eye on them to prevent
burning pillows or large plush toys which may stay pressed against the heating element. I recommend skipping this step with down pillows and simply bagging them.) Afterwards, vacuum seal the items
in trash bags (or simply tie closed tightly) and keep them stored in the bags for at least 2 weeks, until your home
is lice-free. (The incubation period for the eggs to hatch is approximately 10 days.)
• For items you do not wish to or are unable to wash, bag them, sealing tightly, for two weeks.
• Mist the mattress with diluted essential oils mentioned above and allow to air out.
• Spray the Witch Hazel Essential Oil mixture above to other fabrics in the house beyond the comforter and
mattresses, such as the upholstery and drapes. Since it is has a very earthy smell, you might want to spray right
before you leave the house to allow the scent to settle down.
• Vacuuming: Sprinkle plain table salt or Epsom salts around the edges of the sofa, car carpeting, or other areas of
possible contamination. Vacuum up the salt after two hours. Warning: salts may leave a residue on some hard wood floors. Test a small area prior to use.
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Prevention!
Here are some tips to help keep lice at bay:
• Call the school nurse and inform them. In addition to being required by the school district, this will reduce the
risk of starting the cycle all over again once they return to class.
• Call any friend’s parents that your child has been with recently. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and
again this will stop the cycle.
• Check hair frequently.
• Add a few drops of Neem oil, or your favorite preventative essential oil mix, to your regular shampoo.
• Continue with the high heat blow-drying weekly.
• Continue with the high heat in the clothes dryer, especially during reported outbreaks at school.
• Every now and then throw brushes and combs into the hot dishwasher.
• Use essential oil spray or hairspray each morning to repel the lice.
Lastly, here are some Local Services:
Although it can be expensive, sometimes having someone else take care of the nit picking (especially on yourself)
can be worth the price tag. Here are some local services that do just that. Again, we aren’t promoting any of these.
We just wanted to give you a handy list to have at your fingertips:
-The first three also sell non-toxic shampoos and sprays to use at home.
Honeycomb Lice Removal Salon: 22311 Ventura Blvd, Suite 125, Woodland Hills, CA (818) 271-1258www.honeycombhead.com/
Hair Wizards Salon: 16733 Ventura Blvd #15, Los Angeles, CA (818) 501-0101 · hairwizardssalon.com
My Hair Helpers-Head Lice Removal and Natural products have a store (by appointment) and will also come to your home:
5810 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, CA (310) 874-4550 · myhairhelpers.com
Natural Choice Lice Removal comes to your home: 5810 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, CA 20118 Itasca St, Chatsworth, CA (818) 577-3593 ·naturalchoiceliceremoval.com
The Nik Picker - Your "Lice-Saver" comes to your home: Canoga Park, West Hills, CA (818) 618-9698 · thenikpicker.com
We Nit Pick comes to your home: 18375 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA (Tarzana Square Shopping Center)(818) 606-4826 wenitpick.com
Hair Whisperers salon: They use the LouseBuster hair dryer, and guarantee full lice removal in a single visit.
300 S Westgate Ave, Los Angeles, CA (800) 319-8751 · hairwhisperers.com
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Resources:
www.headlice.org has information on non-toxic lice control, including a video on effective combing methods, and
pictures of lice and nits
**http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/118/5/1962.abstract describes studies determining the effectiveness of
various hair-drying techniques.
http://www.remedies-for-natural-health.com/home-remedy-for-fleas.html has the essential oil recipe we listed here.
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/theliceprogram/theprogram.html is a great resource to understand the life cycle of lice
and how combing, when properly timed, can eliminate them completely.
We've tried three in home services over the years and she is by far the most knowledgeable and thorough. Her name is Kelly (the Lice Guru). Her website is http://headliceguru.com/. Her phone # is 626-215-6647. She had
tons of patience with my 3 yr old, and patience with Samantha (who has loads of hair). My son loves her so much that he keeps asking when she can come back!
Have you had to deal with this?
Have you found any remedies we didn’t mention that worked for you? We love hearing from all of you because it gives us more information to help each other next time…but let’s hope there’s not a next time!
Caroline Aslanian’s personal email address: [email protected]