Headlice Remedy and Treatment for Children

Schools and manufacturers of lice products estimate that there are approximately twenty-five million infestations of headlice a year in the United States alone. Most of those infested are children under the age of twelve. These pests are hard to avoid because they migrate through direct contact with an infested person and their belongings.

The good news is that headlice remedy and treatment is relatively easy and painless. Here are some tips on how to wipe out these pests and keep them from coming back.

Treatment can be done with over-the-counter topical treatments specifically designed to treat head lice. Before you begin treatment, be absolutely sure that you actually have them.

Many people misdiagnose headlice and treat themselves or their children with chemicals unnecessarily. Use caution with these products and use them only as directed. Leaving them on longer than the directions state or applying more treatments than recommended puts children at risk for overexposure to chemical pesticides. You can ask your pharmacist any questions you may have.

Products used for headlice treatment are generally quite safe, but there are a few facts of which you should be aware. Lice remedies can come with or without pesticides. Products containing insecticides such as pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide, permethrin, and lindane kill lice by damaging their nervous systems. However, products containing lindane should not be used by pregnant women, infants, young children, and anyone weighing under fifty kilograms because they may be at risk of neurotoxicity. Children with allergies may be at more risk for allergic reactions to pesticides.

Isopropyl myristate 50% is a treatment that contains no traditional insecticides and works by dissolving the wax that covers the louse's outer skeleton. Isopropyl myristate 50% is clinically proven to be effective for treating head lice. Isopropyl myristate, the active ingredient of Resultz, is widely used in lower concentrations in skincare and cosmetic products such as lipstick, bath oil and moisturizers. As a treatment, isopropyl myristate 50% is colorless and odorless.

Using both of these products is similar to using a normal shampoo. Apply the product to dry hair and massage it into the hair until the scalp and hair are thoroughly wet with the product. Pay special attention to the sides and back of the neck because these are favorite spots for lice. Leave it on the hair for ten minutes and then rinse with warm water. Once your hair has dried, use a nit comb daily to remove the dead nits and continue to do this for several days. You should repeat the treatment one week later to kill any new lice that may have hatched after the first treatment. After that, check daily for two weeks.

Once you have completed your headlice treatment and thoroughly cleaned your belongings, it is vital to keep checking for the lice and nits. Some areas have reported instances of lice becoming resistant to certain pesticides and treatment. It is best to discuss the problem with a pharmacist so that you get a head lice removal product that will be effective.