subject: How to Treat Head Lice Infestation With Mayonnaise [print this page] How to Treat Head Lice Infestation With Mayonnaise
When somebody in the household or a class gets infested with head lice, the common response would be to control it using commercial shampoos with pesticides and chemicals to kill the bugs. But these shampoos sometimes fail to do the job. The pesky parasites may be no bigger than a sesame seed, but they can be so hardy that they develop resistance or immunity to the pesticides. Repeated chemical treatments may not be a good idea due to possible dangers of prolonged exposure to pesticides. When commercial head lice treatments fail, what is left for parents to try? They opt for inexpensive and safe natural remedies, such as head lice mayonnaise treatment.
People hearing about mayonnaise treatment for head lice for the first time may find it unbelievable, and may be unwilling to try it. Using mayonnaise to condition and soften the hair is not unheard of, but using it to get rid of head lice most probably is. Curious head lice treatment seekers may be asking, just how exactly does mayonnaise help eradicate these hardy parasites?
Because mayonnaise is viscous, thick, and greasy, it makes a good smothering agent, just like petroleum jelly and olive oil. It is applied and spread liberally on the hair, covering every strand along with the head lice that are roaming around the scalp. Then, a plastic shower cap, plastic wrap, or plastic bag is used to hold the mayonnaise in place. It should be placed snugly so that no air gets inside. The mayonnaise should be left on the hair for two to three hours or even overnight to effectively suffocate and kill the lice.
A nit comb or fine-toothed louse comb should be used to remove dead lice and eggs after leaving the mayonnaise on the hair. Mayonnaise smell and residue may stay even after a few washes, so thorough washing with gentle shampoos should be used to avoid drying or irritating the scalp. Vanilla can also be added to the mayonnaise to help reduce the smell. Some also say that vinegar and shampoos with essential oils can be used to get rid of the mayonnaise odor.
Nits or eggs may remain after any lice treatment, so it is best to manually remove them following the lice mayonnaise treatment. Patience and watchfulness are necessary when manually picking out nits because one missed egg is all it takes for re-infestation to occur. It is also recommended to do the treatment and head inspection regularly to get rid of any surviving lice and nits.
Because head lice can be very difficult to eradicate, parents are free to try various approaches to determine what method best works for their children or even entire households. However, using safe natural remedies such as lice mayonnaise treatment may be more preferable in the long run. These options will not only help save on the costs of commercial treatments that may not be effective, but also eliminate potential health problems resulting from overexposure to shampoos with pesticides and chemicals.
