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Lice can be a problem in any household. It does not matter what income bracket you are in, or how clean you keep your children. Once your child is exposed to lice, they do not "just go away." You must take measures to remove them from your child’s hair, and the home. You will need to purchase bedding spray and at least one nit comb. The other items are common household products.
There are many over the counter chemical products that are effective. The problems with these treatments are: they are harsh to both hair and skin, and leave an unpleasant odor. Not all families can afford to treat all of the children with chemical treatments either. There are however, safe and inexpensive alternatives to harsh chemicals.
The first is found in most kitchens in the United States. It is real mayonnaise. Lice breathe through their legs, and clogging the airways with mayonnaise asphyxiates them. To use this as a treatment, work a generous amount through the hair. Comb through your child’s hair to ensure all strands are fully covered. After the mayonnaise is covering the hair, use a nit comb to remove louse eggs. Then take plastic wrap, or a small plastic bag to cover your child’s head. A plastic grocery bag is usually about the right size. This should be used like a turban. Never let the bag cover your child’s face. Now, let the mayonnaise remain on your child’s hair for three to four hours. It will shampoo out of the hair in about four shampoos. This leaves the hair conditioned and shiny.
The other treatment is petroleum jelly. Use this in the same way you should the mayonnaise. It is just as effective in treating a louse infestation. However, it is not as easy to remove from the hair, and leaves the hair limp and flat.
While you are waiting to shampoo your child’s hair, you will need to delouse your house. To do this, first use an over the counter bedding spray on your rugs, furniture, pillows and mattresses. You will need to wash all of the bed linens, and seal stuffed toys in plastic garbage bags for three weeks. If you cannot keep the toys sealed for this long, put them in a hot dryer for fifteen minutes. You will also need to put your pillows in a hot dryer. After the spray has dried, vacuum your rugs, furniture and mattresses. To be certain you will not have a return infestation, empty the vacuum bag. Some lice or eggs may not have been killed by the spray.
Before you consider the job complete, check yourself and other family members for lice and nits. For yourself, use a mirror to see as you part through your hair. Also, use a clean nit comb to check for eggs. Lice are usually found behind the ears and nape of the neck, but can be anywhere on the head.
In the following weeks, check your child for lice at least once a week. The mayonnaise or petroleum jelly treatment should kill the lice currently in your child’s hair, but it does not repel lice. Your child could just as easily be infested again.
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