The National Pediculosis Association,^® Inc.
A Non-Profit Organization
Serving The Public Since 1983.

www.headlice.org

This site gives a lot of great information on how to really get rid of lice, and a lot of information about why you SHOULD NOT use the pesticides.  Well, to get on with our story...

The day after camp I checked heads again.  Same daughter had 1 louse and a few possible eggs.  I treated her again with pesticides.  Still no one else in the family has had any signs of the nasty critters.  I really can't figure that out.  Anyway, all was fine.  Then she started complaing again about a week later of itchy head.  Sure enough there were 3 mini lice (nymph stage), the next day I found a few eggs too.  I was beside myself.  Were we never to be rid of these dreadful creatures.  BOth of us cried.  I pesticided her head AGAIN!  My gut kept telling me "NO, don't poison her head again!  Her little brain is in there you know!!!"  So that's when I figured there had to be a better way, and obviously the poison wasn't working anyway.  I began researching more diligently --looking specifically for problems and side effects caused by the pesticides.  It made me cry again.  I told her there is another way and this is not a just battle to be won but a war to be fought with many battles to win along the way.  Incidentally, her sister who sleeps in the same bed still has no signs of any lice at all!  No one else does --except I can't check myself (at least not very well) and when ever I think about the issue I itch like crazy.  "scratch scratch scratch"  Okay, no lice just dry scalp!

Here is the regime we have taken up the last several weeks and it seems to be working, FINALLY. 

#1.  Check hair carefully and religously everyday, before bed. Now that I have learned more what to look for and a much more effective technique for checking, this takes me a good hour everynight!

#2.  If there are any signs of lice, drench the hair in a mixture of coconut oil, olive oil and essential oils.  Leave on for a minimum of 20 minutes.  Then comb and check using the rigourous method listed on http://www.crisny.org/not-for-profit/nycap/headlice.htm 

#3.  After combing and removing all eggs, nits and lice, and disposing of them VERY carefully, then the hair can be rinsed out and washed, preferably with a natural shampoo with tea tree oil. 

Finally the hair MUST be carefully checked everyday at bedtime for a minimum of two weeks after the last egg, nit or louse is found.  Then and only then can you let down your guard a little bit, and start checking a couple of times per week.  I have learned that even if you effectively get them out of your home, it is very easy to reinfest from the same source you got them from in the first place becsaue people think that once they've used the pesticide they are free of lice, but they are likely not --Not only do the pesticides cause potential harm to our bodies but they are becoming less and less effective as the lice develop resistence to them.  ICK! 

The oils, on the other hand, help to soften the glue on the eggs and nits, and make them much easier to comb out.  They also smother or partially smother any live lice causing them to either die or slow down.  The essential oils act as a repellant to the lice and have some other good uses as well --Oh and all that oil is really great for your hair and scalp besides.  Although a litle expensive.

This regim is working, and I intend to stay ahead of these buggers one battle at a time! 

Incidentally, I have read and heard that lice are more attracted to light colored hair, dark haired people are reported to have fewer problems with lice.  And curly hair seems to be a deterrent as well.  Apparently, lice prefer a perfectly round hair to attatch their eggs to, and curly hair is oval when cut on a cross section.  Straight hair is round.  These two factors might explain why daughter number one is the only one to be "blessed" with this dreadful infestation.  She has very pretty straight blond hair.  Everyone else has dark and either curly or at least wavy hair.  Interesting, to contemplate but curious just the same.  Statistically 10% of the white population is said to be affected by lice each year but only about .5 % of African Americans are. 

Final weapon we are using is a bandana.  When ever daughter is playing with children who are a potential cource of her infestation she wears a bandana as a physical deterent.  And as I said, I think (fingers crossed) all of our vigilence is finally paying off. 

Good Night