#HOME REMEDIES FOR LICE PLUS#

As Senior Conditions Editor for Health, she covers COVID-19 plus umpteen other health and wellness topics. While treating for head lice can be an annoyance, it can also be a close time for a parent and child to spend quiet time together and bond during a close and caring encounter. Similarly, a child should never be left unattended with any wet chemicals on his/her head to avoid drippage of the chemical into the eye.Karen Pallarito tells stories grounded in science and backed by solid reporting.

If left unattended a child might fall asleep with the plastic bag on his or her head and it could slip over his or her nose or mouth and suffocate. Here's why: It is dangerous to place anything made of plastic on a child's head because it sends a message that it is ok for them to do when you may not be around. Once I apply lice treatment, it is ok to place a shower cap or plastic bag on my child's head and leave my child alone until the treatment is complete. Like any other health concerns you have about your child, consulting your pediatrician first can help you decide whether an OTC or prescription treatment is best for your child. When your child has head lice, it is best to call your pediatrician before treatment. Substances like gasoline or kerosene have not been clinically proven and are flammable and carry substantial risk. Here's why: Mayonnaise, olive oil, margarine, butter, and similar substances have not been proven as effective head lice treatments. Home remedies to treat head lice are safe and effective. Several prescription treatments are safe to use on children as young as 6 months of age. Many newer prescription treatments can be used safely when prescribed by a pediatrician and carefully applied according to instructions. Here's why: Prescription medications have different active ingredients than the OTC products and may need to be used in the initial treatment of head lice in some communities based upon local resistance patterns. Removing nits may help to decrease embarrassment to your child or adolescent, as well as eliminate potential conflicts with school officials that you have not treated your child.ĭue to stronger ingredients, prescription head lice treatments should only be used as a last resort. Even when nit combing is not required to get rid of an infestation, you may choose to comb out nits while hair is wet with a fine tooth comb. Here's why: There are some prescription products that don't call for nit combing. That is why it is essential for parents to read and follow manufacturer instructions exactly as written.Īll head lice treatments instruct users to nit comb. Here's why: Some prescription products have application times as short as 10 minutes followed by a simple rinse with water. Prescription head lice treatments involve being left on the scalp and hair for 8 to 12 hours. Sometimes, a third treatment is needed if live lice persist following the second treatment. Here's why: Several prescription treatments suggest using only 1 application. So, it is a good idea to check your coverage when you are making your decision.Īll head lice treatments call for 2 applications. That having been said, prescription medications are usually moreexpensive to purchase and may not always be covered by health insurance. You should consider the cost of potential multiple treatments, plus the cost of other infestation-related activities when choosing a treatment option.

Here's why: Parents sometimes treat their children with OTC treatments up to 5 times before seeking help from their pediatrician. Prescription treatments always cost more than OTC treatments. Your pediatrician can assist in helping you choose an appropriate treatment option before you do so on your own. The likelihood of resistance varies across the country. If head lice are resistant it means the treatments may not kill them.

These are the ones you can buy in the store without a prescription. Here's why: Head lice can be resistant to the active ingredients in over the counter (OTC) treatments in some communities. True or False Over-the-counter (OTC) head lice treatments sometimes are not the most effective. Find out what's true-and false-about current treatment options. But, you may not be aware of all available treatments.

When your child has been diagnosed with head lice, you want to get rid of them quickly-and effectively. What Do You Know About Head Lice Treatments?

Home remedies for lice