Head Lice - How to and How Not to Treat Them ?

Head lice are an unfortunate reality when people come together in confined spaces for periods of time. Schools are the perfect location for infestations spreading as children's jackets and back packs are often jammed together on hooks or all piled on top of another giving lice a perfect chance to jump off in search of a new victim. When students lounge in bean bags or have Story Time on the carpet, these parasitic creatures lie in waiting. Parents are faced each year with the memo from school reading, "A student from your child's class has been confirmed to have head lice," creating fear and dread of piles of laundry, a late night spent combing every square inch of your child's scalp and the probability that you'll have to repeat the whole process over and over since a class infested tends to remain a class infested.

There are several reasons why Children Head Nitz are so hard to eradicate. First, they are becoming immune due to 'Pesticide Resistance' which is a biological phenomenon. When a generation of bugs is exposed to a pesticide, a certain percentage of those will survive. They pass that resistance to their offspring and with multiple generations spawned in a short period of time, soon the entire population is immune to the original pesticide. Using stronger, more lethal pesticides is the usual next step but the same thing will happen. Eventually all the population will be immune and the vicious cycle continues of more toxic chemicals being used with less control.

The treatment products sold over the counter (although very toxic), used to be more effective - now the labels include instructions on the process of re-applying in case the original treatment wasn't effective. So now you are told to slather toxic chemicals that are being absorbed and/or are irritating your child's scalp (many complain of burning, itching, etc.), and here are instructions on how to do it all over again! These chemicals cause misery for humans and don't eradicate the pest!

Secondly, Lice aren't usually noticed until they are pretty well settled. They are actively laying eggs and reproducing offering ample opportunity for being spread before a child, parent or teacher even knows what is going on. Therefore, repelling becomes just as important as killing.

Here is an alarming truth. In 2004, the United Nations adopted an environmental treaty referred to as the Stockholm Convention requiring global action to eradicate the most lethal and noxious chemicals on the planet. Initially, there were 12 chemicals listed that were defined as "chemical substances that persist in the environment, bio-accumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment". The Stockholm Convention was modified in May 2009 to include an additional 9 chemicals - one of which is Lindane. Inexplicably, certain chemicals included on this most toxic list have 'exemptions'. The exemption for Lindane reads: Human health pharmaceutical for Guarantee Nitz Control.

Think about that for a  of the 21 most dangerous, toxic, high-risk substances known to man is Okay-ed for use on small children! There are so many things wrong with that, I don't even know where to begin!

As a parent, a teacher, a school nurse, a physician, or any role of care giving for children, it is important to become aware, get informed, and learn about choices. Head Lice control can be accomplished safely with diligence and knowledge rather than the most toxic options available. Research safe, effective and natural solutions before slathering a child's head with poison!