angelthadiva
March 11th, 2008, 01:16 PM
This was the information I gathered in my recent attempt to destroy these pesky buggers...I complied this information from various internet sources, so I can't give credit where it's due...I just wanted to post this, in case someone has the misfortune of having to deal with this issue...:o
I would also like to note that from personal experience, I have discovered that the box treatments don't work. Lice are becoming immune to the pesticides...Yes, I said pesticides! I would NEVER have used a toxic poison on my child; if I had known what I know now. :(
I would also like to mention that once I tried this natural method of lice removal, the lice was gone the very next day from my child...I did keep washing her bedding and nit combing her hair for 10 days in between the natural treatments. We had another lice breakout at the school about 2.5 weeks later; I once again used the natural method and the lice was gone by the end of the day. :D
Ps. Make sure you are purchasing your essential oils from a reputable vendor. I found the essential oils necessary for this remedy at my local health food store.
Essential oils are becoming a popular method to deal with childhood head lice. The pesticide treatments commonly used contain toxins that pose serious health threats. Because the scalp has many blood vessels close to the skin, these toxic substances are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Pesticide treatments which are commonly used to repel lice contain toxins that pose serious health threats. Because the scalp has many blood vessels close to the skin, these toxic substances are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Harmful side effects from chemical lice treatments include nervous system damage, convulsions, seizures, nausea, vomiting, headaches, mental confusion and even death. To make matters worse, these pesticides are becoming less effective as lice are developing a resistance to them. This often leads to repeated treatments. The additional exposure adds to the potential harm.
Head lice are highly contagious and very common among children. Because certain essential oils are highly effective against lice, there is absolutely no reason to expose children to dangerous pesticide treatment.
Laboratory tests (Veal 1996) show the essential oils of aniseed, cinnamon leaf, red thyme, tea tree, peppermint, nutmeg and oregano to be effective in killing live lice and their eggs. Other essential oils used to repel lice include lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, juniper berry, bergamot, clary sage, and lemongrass.
Tea tree oil may be the best choice for several reasons. Tea tree oil was found to be 93% effective against killing adult lice and 83% effective in killing their eggs. It is generally safe and is one of the only essential oils that can be used neat (undiluted) on the skin (in small amounts.) Tea tree oil can be used on children as young as one year old. Tea tree oil is so versatile that it should be on hand in every household. Having it on hand for other uses will prevent having to search for ingredients when dealing with a lice infestation that requires prompt action.
Many of the essential oils listed above should not be used on children. It is important to check safety data before using any essential oil. Oregano oil and red thyme oil should not be used at all. All essential oils, including tea tree should only be used by children on an "as needed" basis, and must be properly diluted.
Essential oils can be used both to rid the scalp of lice when an infestation is present and as a preventative measure when there is a potential threat.
TREATING THE HEAD LICE
These are a couple of tried and tested home remedies to treat head lice. Good luck, and remember to wash and clean all linen and furniture where the head rests.
*Aromatherapy Recipe*
2t Jojoba Oil
3T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
10 drops of Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil
5 drops of Tea Tree Oil
Shower Cap
Mix well and saturate the entire head, cover with a shower cap for several hours, or overnight. Comb thoroughly with nit comb, then wash normally. You may need to wash twice to make sure all of the oils have been removed, this will also help to rinse the nits and lice out. Follow up with the final rinse recipe listed below.
FINAL RINSE
1-quart warm water
¼ cup cider vinegar
2-5 drops tea tree oil
Shake well to disperse essential oil. Pour over clean hair. Do not rinse out. When hair dries, saturate a nit comb with tea tree oil and re-comb.
LAUNDRY
Lice can remain alive for up to 72 hours after they have left the human host. Re-infestation can occur if lice remain on pillows, bed linen, combs, clothes and towels. Completely wash all clothing and bedding DAILY that the infected person has come in contact with. One teaspoon of tea tree oil can be added to each wash load. A few drops can be added to a washcloth and placed in the dryer with clothes and bedding. Dry on hottest setting available. Wash sheets, blankets, pillowcases, mattress pads, stuffed animals, scarves and any other washable item that might be infected in hot water. When they have washed, dry them in the dryer on the hottest setting for 30 minutes to an hour. This helps prevent re-infestation. Dry cleaning is another option. If you can’t wash or dry clean, all infected articles can be put into a large garbage bag, with as much air squeezed out as possible and tied off, and left for 2 weeks. The lack of oxygen will kill any lice and prevent a re-infestation. The garbage bag method is very useful in treating stuffed animals or large articles that would otherwise be too expensive to clean or can’t be washed.
SHAMPOO
During the weeks following lice infestation use the following shampoo formula. Add 2-4 drops of tea tree oil to your normal amount of shampoo for one use. Leave shampoo in for five minutes before rinsing out. Finish with final rinse. Comb with nit comb.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
To prevent lice from infesting your child's hair, especially if there is a potential threat, several precautions can be taken. The shampoo and rinse formula described above can be used for precautionary measures. Another quick method to deter potential lice infestation is to dab a few drops of tea tree oil on your fingertips and run your finger through child's hair.
Explain to your child why they shouldn't borrow someone else's comb, hairbrush, helmet, hat, or other things that might be infected. Warn your child about head to head contact with other children. When they know not to do these things, you can reduce their risk of becoming infected in the first place.
If they are in day care or elementary school get in a habit of checking their scalp for nits on a regular basis. Early detection will allow quicker relief with fewer side effects such as itching and scabbing.
In order to kill head lice on hairbrushes, combs, hair accessories, and similar items, place them in your sink. Stop the sink with a plug and boil some water in a tea kettle or pot. Place a few drops of eucalyptus or geranium oil in the sink with the items and pour the boiling water into the sink until it covers them. Allow this to soak for 30 minutes to an hour, and the head lice should be dead. You can also opt to trash all of these items and purchase new ones.
Tea tree oil is known as a "first aid kit in a bottle". If you keep a bottle on hand for possible lice infections, you will soon discover it's many other uses and benefits.
RULES THAT MUST BE ADHERED TO
*Contact the school or daycare your child attends as soon as possible.
*Don't let your child return to school until all lice are dead and been removed, from the whole family's hair.
*Treat everyone in the family, although some people may not have symptoms of lice.
*Notify the parents of any playmates the infested child may have come in contact with.
*Wash and disinfect all pillows and bed linen before and after the hair is treated.
I would also like to note that from personal experience, I have discovered that the box treatments don't work. Lice are becoming immune to the pesticides...Yes, I said pesticides! I would NEVER have used a toxic poison on my child; if I had known what I know now. :(
I would also like to mention that once I tried this natural method of lice removal, the lice was gone the very next day from my child...I did keep washing her bedding and nit combing her hair for 10 days in between the natural treatments. We had another lice breakout at the school about 2.5 weeks later; I once again used the natural method and the lice was gone by the end of the day. :D
Ps. Make sure you are purchasing your essential oils from a reputable vendor. I found the essential oils necessary for this remedy at my local health food store.
Essential oils are becoming a popular method to deal with childhood head lice. The pesticide treatments commonly used contain toxins that pose serious health threats. Because the scalp has many blood vessels close to the skin, these toxic substances are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Pesticide treatments which are commonly used to repel lice contain toxins that pose serious health threats. Because the scalp has many blood vessels close to the skin, these toxic substances are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Harmful side effects from chemical lice treatments include nervous system damage, convulsions, seizures, nausea, vomiting, headaches, mental confusion and even death. To make matters worse, these pesticides are becoming less effective as lice are developing a resistance to them. This often leads to repeated treatments. The additional exposure adds to the potential harm.
Head lice are highly contagious and very common among children. Because certain essential oils are highly effective against lice, there is absolutely no reason to expose children to dangerous pesticide treatment.
Laboratory tests (Veal 1996) show the essential oils of aniseed, cinnamon leaf, red thyme, tea tree, peppermint, nutmeg and oregano to be effective in killing live lice and their eggs. Other essential oils used to repel lice include lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, juniper berry, bergamot, clary sage, and lemongrass.
Tea tree oil may be the best choice for several reasons. Tea tree oil was found to be 93% effective against killing adult lice and 83% effective in killing their eggs. It is generally safe and is one of the only essential oils that can be used neat (undiluted) on the skin (in small amounts.) Tea tree oil can be used on children as young as one year old. Tea tree oil is so versatile that it should be on hand in every household. Having it on hand for other uses will prevent having to search for ingredients when dealing with a lice infestation that requires prompt action.
Many of the essential oils listed above should not be used on children. It is important to check safety data before using any essential oil. Oregano oil and red thyme oil should not be used at all. All essential oils, including tea tree should only be used by children on an "as needed" basis, and must be properly diluted.
Essential oils can be used both to rid the scalp of lice when an infestation is present and as a preventative measure when there is a potential threat.
TREATING THE HEAD LICE
These are a couple of tried and tested home remedies to treat head lice. Good luck, and remember to wash and clean all linen and furniture where the head rests.
*Aromatherapy Recipe*
2t Jojoba Oil
3T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
10 drops of Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil
5 drops of Tea Tree Oil
Shower Cap
Mix well and saturate the entire head, cover with a shower cap for several hours, or overnight. Comb thoroughly with nit comb, then wash normally. You may need to wash twice to make sure all of the oils have been removed, this will also help to rinse the nits and lice out. Follow up with the final rinse recipe listed below.
FINAL RINSE
1-quart warm water
¼ cup cider vinegar
2-5 drops tea tree oil
Shake well to disperse essential oil. Pour over clean hair. Do not rinse out. When hair dries, saturate a nit comb with tea tree oil and re-comb.
LAUNDRY
Lice can remain alive for up to 72 hours after they have left the human host. Re-infestation can occur if lice remain on pillows, bed linen, combs, clothes and towels. Completely wash all clothing and bedding DAILY that the infected person has come in contact with. One teaspoon of tea tree oil can be added to each wash load. A few drops can be added to a washcloth and placed in the dryer with clothes and bedding. Dry on hottest setting available. Wash sheets, blankets, pillowcases, mattress pads, stuffed animals, scarves and any other washable item that might be infected in hot water. When they have washed, dry them in the dryer on the hottest setting for 30 minutes to an hour. This helps prevent re-infestation. Dry cleaning is another option. If you can’t wash or dry clean, all infected articles can be put into a large garbage bag, with as much air squeezed out as possible and tied off, and left for 2 weeks. The lack of oxygen will kill any lice and prevent a re-infestation. The garbage bag method is very useful in treating stuffed animals or large articles that would otherwise be too expensive to clean or can’t be washed.
SHAMPOO
During the weeks following lice infestation use the following shampoo formula. Add 2-4 drops of tea tree oil to your normal amount of shampoo for one use. Leave shampoo in for five minutes before rinsing out. Finish with final rinse. Comb with nit comb.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
To prevent lice from infesting your child's hair, especially if there is a potential threat, several precautions can be taken. The shampoo and rinse formula described above can be used for precautionary measures. Another quick method to deter potential lice infestation is to dab a few drops of tea tree oil on your fingertips and run your finger through child's hair.
Explain to your child why they shouldn't borrow someone else's comb, hairbrush, helmet, hat, or other things that might be infected. Warn your child about head to head contact with other children. When they know not to do these things, you can reduce their risk of becoming infected in the first place.
If they are in day care or elementary school get in a habit of checking their scalp for nits on a regular basis. Early detection will allow quicker relief with fewer side effects such as itching and scabbing.
In order to kill head lice on hairbrushes, combs, hair accessories, and similar items, place them in your sink. Stop the sink with a plug and boil some water in a tea kettle or pot. Place a few drops of eucalyptus or geranium oil in the sink with the items and pour the boiling water into the sink until it covers them. Allow this to soak for 30 minutes to an hour, and the head lice should be dead. You can also opt to trash all of these items and purchase new ones.
Tea tree oil is known as a "first aid kit in a bottle". If you keep a bottle on hand for possible lice infections, you will soon discover it's many other uses and benefits.
RULES THAT MUST BE ADHERED TO
*Contact the school or daycare your child attends as soon as possible.
*Don't let your child return to school until all lice are dead and been removed, from the whole family's hair.
*Treat everyone in the family, although some people may not have symptoms of lice.
*Notify the parents of any playmates the infested child may have come in contact with.
*Wash and disinfect all pillows and bed linen before and after the hair is treated.