Finding The Right Lice Treatment
If your child comes home from school with lice, it is imperative that you begin lice treatment right away. These parasitic creatures pass quickly and easily from one person to the next, via direct contact, pillows and furniture, and hats and garments. Initiating lice treatment immediately will halt the movement of the condition from one person to the next. Additionally, your child will not be able to return to school until he or she is free of nits, the eggs that lice lay at the base of the hair follicles.
A Strong Chemical
The most popular treatment is pesticide based. Chemicals kill the head lice, and you, the parent, remove them and their nits with a special nit comb. These treatments have become widely known as the go-to treatments for head lice. However, they are not without their disadvantages. Any chemical strong enough to kill lice is going to be harsh and promise a certain number of side effects.
Allergic Reactions
Traditional pesticide based treatments have negative effects on those who already have allergies. If someone uses this lice treatment who has an allergy to ragweed or chrysanthemums, they are in danger of triggering an asthma attack. It is advised that these individuals find an alternative lice treatment. In fact, some individuals may experience breathing difficulties even if they do not suffer from these allergies.
Harsh Chemicals
Even for those who do not have sensitive skin, traditional over the counter treatments can cause discomfort. These are harsh chemicals and they may cause itching and burning, as well as increased redness in the affected area. This can make it difficult to discern the difference between the symptoms of head lice and the side effects of the lice treatment you are using.
Decrease In Reliability
This lice treatment, containing the pesticide pyrethrin has shown signs of decreased reliability and effectiveness in recent years. This may be due an evolution in the lice themselves as they have built a resistance to the commonly used lice treatment over the years. This can mean longer recovery time, during which others can be infected and your child cannot return to school, and more treatments, leading to greater side effects.
Alternative Treatment Methods
If you are uncomfortable with these traditional methods of treating lice, you may be interested in using a natural treatment shampoo instead. These shampoos are enzyme based and have far fewer side effects. In fact, they are made from a substance that mimics an enzyme that is naturally produced by lice, making it impossible for them to grow a resistance.
