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Head Lice

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Head Lice Treatment (English) - PDF Head Lice Treatment (Spanish) - PDF   Frequently Asked Questions I treated my kid for lice a week ago and I thought they were gone, but now they're back. What can I do to get rid of these pests for good? I've treated my kid with Nix and the lice are still alive after an hour. What's going on? What about mayonnaise, olive oil, or other treatments?   I treated my kid for lice a week ago and I thought they were gone, but now they're back. What can I do to get rid of these pests for good? The only way to stay louse free is to make sure that after you've killed the adult lice, you pick out every single one of the nits (eggs) left in the hair. This can be a torturously slow ordeal, given the size of nits [link to picture], but it is the only way of insuring that lice won't come back. Purchase a nit comb such as the LiceMeister to aid you in this task. You can find it at a drugstore, or order from the National Pediculosis Association. Short of shaving off all hair, thorough nit picking is the most effective way of abolishing lice. Be sure to wash (in hot water) any bedding and clothing that your child has contacted, and vacuum things that can't be washed. You should also check every member of your household for signs of infestation (lice or nits) at the same time. Otherwise, you may end up passing it back and forth to each other. A daily nit check is recommended for at least 10 days following treatment.   I've treated my kid with Nix and the lice are still alive after an hour. What's going on? Results from a Harvard School of Public Health research study suggest that head lice in the United States may be gaining resistance to the commonly used pesticide lice treatments. If you suspect that your child has pesticide-resistant lice, do not continue to use pesticide products because they won't work. Lice do not spread any diseases, whereas pesticides can actually cause harm to your child. Remember, the only sure way of getting rid of the lice is to thoroughly comb them (and their nits) out! Check out the National Pediculosis Association website for up to date information on pesticide treatments and their effects on lice and your kids.   What about mayonnaise, olive oil, or other treatments? Because of increasingly common pesticide resistant lice, parents are often incredibly frustrated by lice infestations. Let's reiterate here that the only sure way of getting rid of head lice is to make sure that all the nits are picked out one way or another. Many parents and pediatricians have tried the mayonnaise method. Be forewarned, it takes numerous washings with dishwasher soap to get rid of the oiliness afterward. Remember, too, that even after the adult lice are killed by mayonnaise, olive oil or whatever, you still have to pick out all the nits. If you are interested in finding out more about alternative treatments, here is aweb page for you. It reviews all sorts of non-standard treatments, from mayonnaise to "Stupid and Dangerous Approaches."