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Pediculosis, or head lice, are small insects typically smaller than a sesame seed. Lice do not jump or fly. In fact, lice are most commonly transmitted through direct, head-to-head contact with an infested individual. Lice most commonly affect young, school-aged children. Girls are at a higher risk for infestation because their natural behaviors, like close-contact activities such as cuddling, are ideal for lice spreading. Although no reliable data on lice infestations exists because the Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not classify lice as a disease, school officials and doctors estimate that 12 to 25 million lice infestations occur annually in the United States alone.
Lice infestations can occur any time. Contrary to the stigmas associated with lice, the insects actually prefer clean, healthy scalps as their living environment. Lice feed on human blood numerous times a day. A female louse lays eggs, or nits, on hair shafts close to the child’s scalp. Using her reproductive organs, the female louse encases the nit in a protective shell by secreting a glue-like substance. Nits are thus difficult to remove, and proper lice and nit eradication often has parents scratching their heads.
Before deciding on a treatment plan, parents might conduct extensive online research. In this way, parents can compare lice eradication products. Typically, however, parents might first purchase over-the-counter shampoos or cream rinses from a pharmacy. However, these products contain pesticides and insecticides that require careful attention and application. When improperly administered, such products contain chemicals that can burn a child’s sensitive scalp, cause eye irritation, or even alter the texture of a child’s hair. Because these products can be harmful, many parents are now opting for other, safer, and natural solutions for lice eradication.
Online, parents can often find natural, organic lice treatment remedies. Organic lice products are scientifically proven to be as effective as over-the-counter products, although they do not contain harsh chemicals. Such natural solutions are safer than drugstore products, and can offer your family unparalleled and safe lice eradication options.
Before purchasing or starting an all-natural treatment plan, a parent should compare online products by reading consumer reviews. Lice treatments should be safe on a child’s scalp, and one should seek pesticide-free products. Products containing sodium laurel sulfates should also be avoided because these ingredients are harmful to children. After careful research, decide on a treatment method that best meets your child’s needs.
One natural treatment method that effectively kills lice is olive oil. Olive oil works as a smothering agent, clogging the tiny holes in the sides of lice where they breathe. In laboratory tests by the Harvard School of Public Health, olive oil effectively killed live and active lice. Consumers have reported that olive oil actually makes nit removal easier and less painful for the child. The substance also helps heals hair after failed attempts with harsh chemicals. Unlike shampoos and creams, olive oil can be used as a preventative measure if a parent suspects that a child has been exposed to a lice infestation.
Faced with a lice infestation? Click the blog header today to begin a safe treatment plan!