Head Lice Control Non-Chemical or Chemical Control?

Head lice are horrible for the child and for the parent who needs to deal with it. You can help your child to learn about lice and how to prevent getting lice. Teaching your child not to share hats, combs, or hairbrushes or anything similar to these items will help protect your child against head lice. If your child is already infested with lice, be sure you wash all bedding, towels, and clothing in hot, soapy water and tell your child's school, day care, or camp of the problem. Some schools will not allow your child back until there are no nits left on hair shafts.

The question most parents have when they find out their child has head lice is, how do I get rid of them. Do I have to shave their head or use chemicals? There is a nonchemical way to rid a child of head lice. Wash their hair every day and buy a "nit comb." They can be found at your local pharmacy. This method may work if your child doesn't have an extreme infestation.

There are special shampoos available in any pharmacy that includes insecticides. Some shampoos and products may only be available by prescription from your doctor but many others are available over-the-counter. The shampoos and products available without a prescription usually have natural pyrethrum or permethrin. Two shampoos are normally needed, one to control the adults and nymphs that are already on the head, and the second one in about 10 days that will kill any emerging nymphs. Extreme care should be used when using these shampoos. You are applying insecticides directly to the child's head!

After you shampoo the hair, using a nit comb will help remove dead adults and nits (eggs) from the hair. Special combs are available to use after shampooing an infested head of hair. All family members and others who have a close connection to the infested person should be watched carefully for any signs of head lice. Do not use insecticide shampoo on a noninfested person. There isn't any need to spray your home or set off a bug bomb to get rid of head lice. They cannot survive more than 48 hours from a host. Running the vacuum on carpet, mattresses, and upholstery is effective in limiting the infestation problem.

Here are a few tips from the National Pediculosis (head lice) Association, a nonprofit organization that promotes education about head lice infestation.

-- Watch for signs of head lice infestation in other members of the family.

-- Treat only those who actually have head lice.

-- Remove nits manually with a "nit comb."

-- Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using shampoos with insecticides, especially if the person is pregnant, nursing, asthmatic, or has any other medical conditions.

-- Wash all bedding; clothing, and hair care accessories in hot soapy water.

-- Vacuum all carpeting, upholstered furniture, and bedding for nits and lice. Don't forget to include any stuffed animals the child plays with regularly or sleeps with.

-- Tell school officials, neighbors and other family members if you have a child who has been infested with lice. Get rid of all signs of lice, including nits before sending the child back to school, daycare, or camp.

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