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.