Archive for the ‘Head Lice’ Category

How to Suffocate Head Lice
With so many different methods of eliminating head lice recommended it is difficult to know which will be successful and which won’t, but attention is being drawn more and more to the suffocation methods, which use a very vital part of the louses anatomy and biology to help kill it.
There are many substances used to suffocate head lice, and all are readily available household goods. This explains part of the popularity of the method as it does not need the use of dangerous insecticides and chemicals, and is entirely safe – unless you happen to be a head louse!
While the process itself makes sense the substances used sound rather bizarre: mayonnaise, Vaseline and olive oil are frequently cited as the best at smothering head lice, and the choice is yours as to which to use first. All three, it must be said, will result in a mess, but that is little price to pay if the lice are eliminated.
It works like this: the patient’s head is smothered with the chosen substance – liberally and in full quantity – and it is left on the head for several hours. It works its way into the holes through which the louse breathes, effectively suffocating it on the spot.
It is simple and very straightforward, but is not without problems. One problem is that the louse has breathing holes that it can close, albeit only for a set length of time. The several hours spent waiting are so that this time elapses and the breathing holes are successfully filled. Indeed, this waiting time is another downside, as it severely limits the times at which the treatment can be carried out. Going to bed with a head covered in mayonnaise, no matter how well covered, is not recommended hence it is best carried out during the day.
The major downside is the aforementioned mess, as getting congealed olive oil from the hair involves a serious wash, although it will leave the hair fresh and clean afterwards.
It will also, inevitably, leave some lice as survivors, and it does not necessarily kill the nits, the head louse eggs. This means that repeating the routine again in around a week’s time is absolutely essential if complete eradication is to be achieved, and that another day wasted will be necessary.
Nevertheless, the suffocating method is one that is said to work, and is absolutely and utterly risk free – all good reason to give it a go.

The Head Lice Petroleum Jelly removal technique
With millions of children in the USA suffering from an infestation of head lice every year it is little surprise that a surfeit of remedies is available, and the internet is awash with suggestions and forums that are full of excellent, and often weird, ideas. While there will be those who are happy to use a prescription insecticide lotion or spray, others may be wary of doing so thanks to the chemicals involved and will therefore seek alternative methods of treatment.
It has been suggested that in removing head lice petroleum jelly is a very useful substance, so let’s have a look at how it works, and whether it is a genuine alternative to the medically proven remedies.
To understand why coating the head in petroleum jelly kills head lice a little knowledge of the creatures biological make up is necessary, specifically in the area of its respiration. A head louse breathes through a series of holes down the sides of its body, and these holes can be closed to prevent against drowning when in water (which explains why they do not drown when we wash our hair) and it is these holes that we target when using the petroleum jelly.
Smearing the jelly across the head will undoubtedly have the lice shutting down their breathing holes, so the patient is obliged to wait – sometimes for several hours – before the holes reopen and are filled with the jelly. It is a simple remedy, and essentially suffocates the lice. However, it does have its drawbacks – it is very messy, extremely time consuming and is not guaranteed to rid you of all of the lice as some are more than likely to survive. Furthermore, it will not kill the nits – eggs waiting to hatch – and thus it requires repeating a few days later, when they are likely to have hatched into young lice.
While the technique is messy and takes up chunks of time it does have the distinct advantage of being absolutely safe; the insecticide lotions that the doctor prescribed all have possible side effects – although minor, such as irritation and a rash – and the use of petroleum jelly does not, other than the need to thoroughly wash the hair after each treatment.
The medical community will look down on such treatments in favor of scientifically proven methods, yet if something is absolutely harmless – and has been reported to work – costs nothing and is at hand, then there is no reason not to have a go.

Choosing a Head Lice Lotion
With such a variety to choose from choosing the right head lice lotion for your or your child’s treatment can be time consuming and confusing, and perhaps the best way to get the right information is to look at some of the websites that deal with head lice and have testimonials from people who have successfully used different brands or methods.
However, you are likely to find that there will be two distinct groups of people: those who prefer the insecticide lotions and shampoos prescribed by doctors, and those who opt to use natural or alternative substances for their head lice remedy.
There are arguments for both, and good reasons why you should consider such things carefully before going ahead.
The first thing to remember is that while head lice are potentially embarrassing they are not in any way dangerous; they do not pass on any diseases and they simply go about their daily lives with the worst you can expect being an itchy head. Yes, the thought of them feeding on our blood is gross, but there are many far nastier parasites out there. An infestation of head lice is not something that signifies poor hygiene, either, as up to 12 million children, in America alone, suffer from an infestation every year.
As the danger is nonexistent it is questionable whether using powerful insecticides to combat what is a minor problem makes sense. The three main insecticides used are Malathion, Permethrin and Lindane, and while the first two come with little controversy other than possible minor side effects such as exaggerated irritation of the scalp, the latter is a very controversial substance indeed that has been linked to serious convulsions in patients, and even to possible deaths.
The alternative lotions are those that are made from, or utilize, natural ingredients; Tea Tree oil is very much in vogue, and ylang ylang too, and products using these in their make up – shampoos and lotions both – have been found to be as effective as a Permethrin based lotion in independent trials.
Whether you choose to opt for the medically proven insecticides and have your doctor prescribe one of the safe versions, or whether you are prone to go down the natural route and look at herbal options, the choice is, after all, your own, but many would say that trying something completely safe and without any risk is a more sensible first step, particularly as the condition itself is far from a serious one.

Malathion Head Lice treatment – is it safe?
There has been much written of late about the controversy surrounding some of the prescription and over the counter insecticide head lice treatments, hence it is worth us taking a look at how safe they actually are.
There are many such lotions and shampoos on the market, most of them with three main insecticides as the active ingredient: Malathion head lice treatment comes in the shape of a brand known as Ovide, and this is a very popular medicinal treatment used by many people all the time. Others include those made using Permethrin, and most controversial are the lotions that utilize the powerful insecticide Lindane.
The latter has become particularly controversial as it has been linked to a number of very serious cases of side effects – convulsions of a serious nature, and even a death – and as a result products using the substance have been banned from sale in many European countries, but are still available on prescription in the USA. Unlike Lindane, its sister aforementioned insecticide lotions are said to be entirely safe and come with only the chance of minor side effects.
So what are Malathion and the others? Insecticides are essentially poisons that are designed to kill insects. The ones used in these products are synthetic – that is manmade – versions of natural products, and are very powerful indeed.
It is the act of covering a child’s head in potentially dangerous chemicals that puts a lot of parents off using the lotions, and this is why there have become available a series of alternative treatments that are safe, yet not scientifically proven. Malathion is a successful product, and has many adherents who swear by its efficiency, however.
Using it is simple – it is rubbed into the head and left for a short time, therefore killing as many lice as possible. Despite manufacturer’s claims, it is unlikely to kill nits, hence they will need to be treated in a different manner. Furthermore, the possible side effects include irritation of the skin and possible increase in dandruff, and it is not recommended that those already suffering from known skin conditions use the substance or others like it. Nor should they use it if they have open wounds, and it is imperative it is kept away from the eyes.
Given the number of restrictions, and the press horror stories, it is no surprise that people opt to use alternative methods, washing with a shampoo mixed with Tea Tree oil being very popular, but it must be said that Malathion products are certified as safe to use, and known to work in many cases.

American Academy of Pediatrics head Lice report
In an interesting study that was recently carried out and published, the American Academy of Pediatrics – or AAP – looked closely at the head lice problem, a problem that affects millions of children in America during their lifetimes.
As the report points out at the beginning, head lice infestation can lead to anxiety in the child concerned, although it also points out that this is the very worst that can happen – the head louse, while annoying, is essentially harmless and needs to be eradicated thanks to the hygiene problem they present; easy to spread among children, the AAP report sheds light on just how prevalent the problem is.
Some interesting figures are published in the report, including the fact that an estimated six to 12 million children, between the ages of three and 12 years, suffer from head lice during each year in America alone; these are staggering numbers when considered in the cold light of day, and explain why the problem is one that, although practically harmless, needs to be addressed.
The AAP also take the trouble to point out that lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and, unlike some insects, are not responsible for passing on any other diseases;  there is plenty advice too on the head lice life cycle, its various stages, and why it is important to understand this in order to treat an infestation properly. Indeed, of particular interest is that a louse will not survive for long away from a humans head, and therefore removing them is a very efficient method of elimination.
Also interesting is the explanation as to why it can take several weeks for us to realize we have head lice – the itching is an allergic reaction, and this takes time in some cases to come forth – and also that the life cycle of the creature, from birth to breeding, takes as little as three weeks. This is the reason why these creatures spread at such an alarming rate.
Remedies are covered in some detail, from the many insecticide lotions including Malathion head lice treatment, through to the various natural remedies, some of which have been found to be as effective as the medicinal ones, and also the suffocation methods, while instructions and guidelines for schools and parents are also investigated and outlined.
All in all, it is heartening to see the AAP take an interest and invest so much time and effort into what is an embarrassing, if needlessly so, condition that is suffered by so many.

Mayonnaise Head Lice remedy – does it work?
Among the more bizarre suggested remedies for the head lice problem is one that uses mayonnaise – common, kitchen mayonnaise – the details of which we shall come to a little later on, but it is interesting to understand why such unusual alternative treatment methods have such following.
The medically prescribed lotions – insecticide washes that contain powerful poisons for killing the creatures – are avoided by many thanks to controversy in recent years; indeed one such substance – an insecticide known as Lindane – has been the subject of a number of scare stories regarding extreme reactions and even deaths, and as such has been removed from use in many countries although it is still available by prescription in the USA. This is not to say that all insecticide methods of treatment are dangerous, but they do come with the risk of minor side effects, something that the alternative methods do not.
This is where mayonnaise comes in, and you might ask yourself what could be less harmful – or, indeed, less ridiculous – than coating the head in a salad dressing! The truth is that while it does seem very odd it has its reasoning in a sound basis, for the mayonnaise head lice remedy plays into a very unusual biological feature of the tiny creatures.
Head lice have an unusual breathing apparatus that is accessed by tiny holes in the side of the body, and while these holes are able to close for periods of time they have to open again at some point; the trick is to smother the head, very liberally, with mayonnaise and leave it there for several hours. If the thought of sitting around with a head covered in mayonnaise seems utterly bizarre then it bears thinking about what happens – the head lice, when its breathing holes open, finds it cannot breathe and simply suffocates.
This cheap and simple method of treatment is not without its problems, however: considerable mess is obviously one and the need to sit around for hours another, while the fact that it will not kill all the lice, or the nits – eggs – in one go is another. This means another day sitting around with a head covered in mayonnaise, but if it gets rid of the pesky creatures, that can only be worthwhile.
Given that head lice are not dangerous – unpleasant and embarrassing, yes, but no danger to anyone – it makes sense to use the least harmful method of treatment and mayonnaise may just be the answer!

Head Lice Remedies
Head lice are an enduring problem among children of America, of whom between six and 12 million suffer from infestations of the creatures in any given year. Although head lice are not dangerous they do carry a stigma of embarrassment, even though head lice are not indicative of poor hygiene. Treating head lice and removing them can be a painstaking routine, and there are many different methods of treatment that are recommended on websites and in books on the subject. In general, however, head lice remedies can be bracketed into one of three types: insecticide lotions, herbal and natural shampoos, and smothering techniques, and each of these must be used in conjunction with the traditional or electronic nit comb.
Insecticide lotions are just that, lotions that include powerful chemicals that kill head lice. There are three popular insecticides that can be found in various branded products, namely Malathion, Permethrin and Lindane.
All of these are poisons and, while present only in very small quantities, many people are reluctant to use them as they do profess to possible side effects. In the case of the first two these side effects are minor – irritation of the skin, added dandruff – but in the case of Lindane a number of concerns have been raised as the chemical has been linked to cases in which patients experienced serious reactions and even death. Lindane products are still prescribed in the USA, but it is notable they are banned in some other countries.
The natural alternatives are shampoos that contain herbal products known to have medicinal qualities. Many people swear by shampoos that include the essential Tea Tree oil, taken from the leaves of a plant native to Australia and used by the Aborigines for medicinal purposes for many centuries, and also the ylang ylang essence, which is widely used in herbal remedies. A lotion containing the latter was tested independently and found to be at least as effective as one using Permethrin as its active ingredient, and the natural substances have the advantage of being completely harmless.
The final selection are the suffocation or smothering techniques, and that is precisely what they are: a substance such as olive oil, Vaseline or – rather oddly – mayonnaise is smeared all over the scalp, and this fills the holes that the louse breathes through. The creatures then suffocate, and the substance is washed away.
All have their downsides – the side effects in the first, the untested qualities of the second and the messy nature of the third – and it remains up to the individual to choose the preferred option. Perhaps trying the least risky first makes the most sense.

Tea Tree Oil Head Lice Remedy
There is a school of thought that says head lice – being essentially harmless – need not be treated with anything that carries any substance of a risk, and that the best methods are those that are based on natural products. This belief carries some weight, as although head lice are perceived as an embarrassment and the itching is irritating, they are not dangerous in any way and do not carry other diseases. Treating them with insecticides – some of which do carry inbuilt risks – may seem akin to using a crane to crush a fly.
This is where natural remedies come into play, and in particular the very popular Tea Tree Oil head lice treatment method, one which has its basis in the age old beliefs of an ancient people.
The Tea Tree plant is native to Australia, and the essential oil is distilled from the leaves of the plant, where the native Aborigines are known to have used it for centuries for a variety of medicinal and health orientated uses. Indeed, investigation has shown that Tea Tree oil does have a definite anti-fungal quality, and it is used widely in many different ways as a treatment for certain conditions.
Head lice are believed to be deterred by the presence of the oil, and as such washing with a shampoo that contains Tea Tree oil is both a remedy and prevention, two birds killed with the same stone.
Those who are wary of using such products point to the lack of scientific basis for the success of such natural substances, yet in trials it was found that a shampoo using such natural oils was equally as effective in killing head lice as one of the more commonly prescribed insecticide lotions. Furthermore, reports are being heard of head lice becoming immune to the chemical versions as their systems adapt.
Logic dictates that if something is not dangerous, and simply needs to be removed, doing so with any sort of risk does not make sense, and this is why the natural remedies such as Tea Tree oil and ylang ylang essence, another popular substance, are becoming more widely used. Alternatively one could choose to smother the head in mayonnaise – another harmless yet much messier method of killing head lice – but the cleaner and less troublesome routine of washing in a good herbal shampoo, followed by the essential wet combing to bring out the nits which will not be killed by the oil, may be the preferred method.

Head Lice Cetaphil treatment
The methods of treating a head lice infestation range from the obvious – combing with a head lice comb – to the downright ridiculous methods of smothering the creatures with mayonnaise or olive oil; however, the latter methods are recognized as being successful, if very messy, and in the face of insecticide lotions that are subject to reports of lessening impact and, in some cases, quite severe side effects it is no surprise that many people choose to try the more unusual techniques in an effort to get rid of the head lice problem.
One slightly less messy way of pursuing the smothering method is to use Cetaphil, a common cleaner that is not riddled with chemical potions and does the suffocation job as well as anything else, while being easier to control and far less unusual than covering your head in something out of the fridge.
The smothering method of killing head lice works because of the way the lice breathe, which is through a series of miniscule holes all down its body; these holes are filled by the Cetaphil – or other substance – and the louse suffocates. It can then be brushed out of the hair.
By massaging the Cetaphil firmly into the scalp the lice are covered, as that is where they live, and the solution is left in place for a while for the effect to take place. The reason for the wait is due to a complex mechanism by which the louse can close its breathing holes, but it can only do so for a short time. This helps it to survive on our heads when we wash our hair.
Once dried, the Cetaphil needs to be thoroughly washed out of the hair and the hair and scalp wet combed with a special nit comb. The problem with all suffocation techniques, however, is that they will not kill the nits, the tiny eggs that are laid on the base of the hairs and hatch after about a week.
For this reason a further treatment or two, accompanied by vigorous combing, will be necessary to ensure that you have successfully killed and removed all of the nits and the living lice, as any that hatch in the meantime will be caught next time around.
Using Cetaphil is easier than the traditional mayonnaise – some people use Vaseline petroleum jelly for the same effect – and also easier to clean up, and best of all it is absolutely safe with no side effects.

Malathion Head Lice Treatment
One of the great controversies of treating a head lice infestation surrounds the use of insecticide lotions and shampoos, with reports of side effects – sometimes quite severe – being off-putting to many. The three main insecticides used – Malathion, Permethrin and Lindane – all have reported problems, and in the case of the latter reports of severe seizures and even fatalities have led to it being removed from use in many countries, although it is still available on prescription in the USA.
Among the three one of the most popular is Malathion, as used in the very widely prescribed Ovide, a lotion that is known to have an effect on head lice and their nymphs when used in many cases. It is a fact, however, that no insecticide will kill all of the well protected nits – the head lice eggs – and these need to be treated with a different method.
Among the known side effects of Malathion are those of a dry scalp, a stinging sensation and a possible increase in dandruff, and the substance should not be used – like all insecticide products – on those who have open wounds or a prior skin condition. It needs to be kept away from the eyes, too, and pregnant women are strongly advised to steer clear of insecticide products.
These minor side effects are acknowledged by the FDA, and the lotions – Ovide among them – are considered safe for use when the instructions are followed.
One thing that should be borne in mind is that Ovide is not recommended for children under the age of six (in fact no insecticide products are) and if the infestation is present on the head of such an infant, and it is very likely, then medical advice should be sought as to what steps to take.
The alternatives are the natural shampoos that abound on the market – many with the very popular Tea Tree oil, a medicinal herbal remedy favored by the Aborigines of Australia, present – and the trusty nit comb, an essential item in any treatment regime. Head lice combs are available in two types, the traditional version with the very close teeth and a newer version that works by administering an electric shock. The shock may be fatal to the lice but is not felt by the patient, being provided by a standard battery.
Using insecticides such as Malathion has been shown to work, yet it is not everybody’s choice to coat the head with poisons; consider your options carefully.