HairFactz General Information

Lice Aren't Nice!

Contents of this Article

Lice Aren't Nice The Life Cycle of Lice How Lice Spread How to Prevent Head Lice Are They Nits or Just Dandruff? 3 Step Head Check for Lice

12 Easy Nit Picking Steps Nit Combs That Can Help Non-Toxic Treatments to Use With Nit Picking Pesticide Treatment Products Clean Your Household Items For Additional Help About Lice

Pesticide Treatment Products

There are head lice treatment products called pesticides that may kill lice on contact. Pesticides are toxic products, which, if used improperly, may cause side effects. Always carefully follow the instructions on any head lice treatment product!

ATTENTION
Pregnant Women, Children under two years old, and Persons with allergies! Consult your doctor before using any pesticide treatment product!

Case reports suggest that head lice are becoming increasingly resistant to pesticide products. Using several different products does not increase effectiveness but may only increase side effects. Even if you choose to use a pesticide product, you must continue to pick the nits (lice eggs) twice a day for two weeks!

There are currently 3 types of head lice pesticides:

• 1) Pyrethrums - These pesticides usually kill lice on contact but have no long-lasting effect on lice that may hatch later:
  • Pyrethrum Shampoos:
    • Rid ®
    • A- 200 ®
    • Clear ®
    • R & C ®
  • Pyrethrum Cream Rinse:
    • Pronto ®
    • End Lice ®

  Tips for using these Pyrethrums products:

  • Always carefully follow the instructions on any head lice treatment product.
  • If you see lice moving 10 minutes after the treatment, don't assume the treatment didn't work. It may take up to 20 minutes after a treatment for lice to die.
  • Using treatment products more often than recommended can cause serious side effects. Remember, these are pesticides!
  • One treatment will not kill all of the lice. You must continue to check the hair and pick the nits. Do not reapply any pesticide product for at least seven days after the first pesticide treatment.
  • Most of these products can be bought as a package with a lice spray. Evidence shows that lice sprays are not effective in killing lice or nits. They will only put poisons into the air. Save your money and avoid buying lice sprays. Instead, pick the nits!

• 2) Permethrins - These pesticides usually kill lice on contact and may continue to kill lice and newborn lice for 7 to 10 days:
  • Permethrin cream rinses:
    • Nix ® - 1% permethrin
    • Elimite ™ (prescription only) - 5% permethrin

  Tips for using these Permethrins products:

  • Permethrins are the treatment of choice by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), although they report that treatment failure is common.
  • Always carefully follow the instructions on any head lice treatment product.
  • Do not shampoo the head for at least 24 hours after treatment.
  • Do not reapply any pesticide product for at least seven days after the first pesticide treatment. Using treatment products more frequently than recommended can cause serious side effects. Remember, these are pesticides!
  • Use only a baby shampoo or a regular shampoo without conditioner for 2 weeks after the lice treatment. Do not use hair coloring, mousse, gel or hair spray for at least 2 weeks after lice treatment.
  • When using Nix ®, use the entire 2 ounce bottle on the infested head. If the person has extremely short hair, only use half the bottle. If the person has long hair, use one and a half to two bottles of Nix ®.

• 3) Lindane - Lindane is a shampoo that is available only by a prescription. Over use or misuse of Lindane can be toxic to the brain and nervous system. Lice are not as easily killed by Lindane as they use to be, according to Washington State Department of Ecology Publication #97-423, Integrated Pest Management in School Project. Always carefully follow the instructions on any head lice treatment product.
  
  Both the American Head Lice Information Center and the National Pediculosis Association discourage the use of Lindane to treat head lice for anyone due to its high toxicity and potentially serious side effects.

Some Shampoos Without Conditioners

• Johnson ® Baby Shampoo
• Neutrogena ® Anti-Residue Shampoo
• Salon Selectives ®, Level 7 ® Shampoo
• Ivory © Shampoo
• Prell © for Normal or Oily Hair Shampoo

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The Lice Aren't Nice Community Coalition (LANCC) does not endorse or promote any of the products mentioned. Details are provided for your information only! The information in this summary was gathered by the Lice Aren't Nice Community Coalition (LANCC) and was reviewed by the Snohomish Health District. The Lice Aren't Nice Community Coalition (LANCC) does not assume responsibility for the outcome of your treatment. January 2006.

References:
Washington State Department of Health - Lice Aren't Nice Community Coalition of Snohomish County (LANCC) - Publications - January 2006 - www.doh.wa.gov

This summary is a general overview about the topic discussed and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Full Disclaimer & General Safety Advisory