Head
lice are a nightmare most mothers hope they will never see. It isn't
the fact that the child is not clean - it is the fact that they have
these quick producing nits. A child can get head lice from many places,
such as the playground, school, nurseries and parties.
What is head lice?
Head
lice are tiny parasitic insects that live in hair and suck out tiny
bits of blood from the scalp. They multiply quickly and are contagious,
but they do not pass around disease. The lice lay lice eggs and those
eggs hatch and mate with other lice. If you do not kill the hair lice,
you will have a major problem.
One
adult head lice can lay up to ten eggs or nits a day. Head lice nits or
eggs can hatch in 7 to 12 days and then they can mature in 9 to 12
days.
Symptoms of head lice
The
main symptoms are itching and a red rash on the neck. The rash comes
from the lice biting the neck. These bites can become infected and cause
swelling and possible infection of lymph glands.
Natural ways to get rid of head lice
The
most common way to get rid of lice is with mayonnaise. As funny as it
may seem, mayonnaise works best. You simply lather mayonnaise all over
the hair and massage your head like you would while shampooing.
Then
add in some lemon juice and cover with a shower cap. Leave the cap on
for up to two hours to kill the lice and smother them. Use a fine tooth
comb to comb through the hair and then shampoo the hair as usual. Green
apple shampoo is also suggested if you have this in your area.
Neem oil
Neem oil will work really well also. Be generous with the amount of neem oil you apply to the hair while massaging. Cover the hair for one hour. Then, using a nit comb, comb the dead lice out of the hair. The lice and nits should be dead, but should you see any sign of lice again, repeat the treatment.
Neem oil will work really well also. Be generous with the amount of neem oil you apply to the hair while massaging. Cover the hair for one hour. Then, using a nit comb, comb the dead lice out of the hair. The lice and nits should be dead, but should you see any sign of lice again, repeat the treatment.
Check, check and check some more
Make
sure to check the eyebrows and the hair again, after each washing
session and make sure that you have indeed removed the lice and the
nits. Wash your child's clothing, bed sheets and covers too. The lice
may have jumped to safe territory.
Check everyone in the family
Don't
stop with your infected child, as this is very contagious. Check
everyone in your family to see if they have any signs of infection. Make
sure to check your own head too. Lice are tricky little guys, so check
and double check.
Sources:
- TBYIL.com
- Lacetoleather.com
- Kidshealth.org
Champion Sprayon Multipurpose Insect and Lice Killer, 10-oz, Can, 12
