Lice Treatment

Updated on January 23, 2010
C.C. asks from Scottsdale, AZ
21 answers

I just found out that my daughter has lice from spending the night at a friends. I didn't realize it until I kept seeing her scratching her head. So I looked and sure enough I found some nits. The thing is she has super long hair and I'd hate to cut it. Does anyone know how to treat it? I did hear something about tee tree oil, so I bought a bottle of this shampoo for lice and it didn't work. Help, please.

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.L.

answers from Las Cruces on

Wal-Mart has a concentrated lice treatment much cheaper than the shampoo. My daughter has really long, thick, thick black hair and I didn't want to cut it either. I bought this and used it on her two times plus I removed the nits and the eggs once a day. It did the trick for her hair. It was a pain to have to do it but it's better than chopping the lovely locks. Best of luck.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from Phoenix on

Hello C. - when my daughter got lice from a friend, we went through a month of using the shampoo and combing them out and she still had them. I called up Bayer which is who makes the RID shampoo. They stated that some of the shampoo has been on the shelves too long and the active ingredients can become not as active. Also some strains of lice are becoming resistant to the shampoo. They sent me a coupon for a free can of the mousse that they sell. It worked really well. From the first time that I used it, lice were falling off her hair as I combed it out. About 3 years later, she got lice again from school. I bought the mousse with the comb and it treated her head and got rid of the lice on the first try. I swear by the stuff now. God Bless you and your family.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.T.

answers from Phoenix on

Petroleum Jelly!! When I went through my foster parent classes, they recomended Petroleum Jelly... (Thank god we never got a child that came with lice though.)

How to get rid of head lice, in a short time.
Step 1:
Get a jar of Vaseline, and put the grease all over the head. Saturate the hair from the scalp to the ends of the hair. After putting on the treatment, put on a shower cap on the head. Then put the child under a hair dryer for about 30 to 45 minutes. Take the child out from the dryer and begin to comb their hair with a small tooth comb. Comb the grease out and the lice will also come out on the comb. Next shampoo with warm water, and rinse out the shampoo. Condition the hair and put the child again under the dryer.

Step 2
You can also try Tea Tree Oil. You can purchase the oil from a drug store in the lotions, hair products area. The cost is usually under $5.00. Put the oil on the child's hair, and saturate the hair with oil. Again put on the shower cap to seal and keep the lice from getting the air to further multiply. They seem to multiply at a rapid rate. They are white in color and you can actually see them as white eggs. Comb the hair and put the child under the hair dryer, for 30 - 45 minutes. Take the shower cap off and comb again. Shampoo, rinse, and condition the hair.

Step 3
If you go the local health department they usually have treatments available at a cheaper cost than the drug stores. Follow the direction on the bottle, and proceed with the given directions. You will be shampooing the hair with all of the treatments.

Step 4
The last effort will be to go to the Drug Store and purchase Head Lice
removal. Again, follow the directions and proceed to shampoo and condition the hair. If you go to your physician to get a prescription, you have to follow the instruction to get the maximum results.

WASH EVERYTHING!!! LYSOL your entire house!!! Lice multipy quick!

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Phoenix on

well being in daycare for many years I learned some tricks.. You need to get a jar of miracle whip & a shower cap (I know it sounds gross but it works) put the miracle whip all over her hair really good then put the shower cap on her & let her go to bed the lice can't breath & they will sophicate & then just really wash her hair good the next morning & comb her hair really well.. I used this on my girls several x's when they were in the daycare setting.. There are also all the lice products but I found that this worked better & cost alot less.. Don't forget EVERYTHING needs to be washed: curtains, pont tails holders,hats,stuffed animals, beds, pillows, sheets anything that can be washed needs to be. Car seat covers (if still in a seat) There is some spray stuff out for things like your furniture & your vehicle..

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Phoenix on

Try this...along with the nit picking!

http://www.yourguidetogreen.com/store/mind-body/supermom-...

Price: $26.25

Supermom/'s No-Lice Hair and Body Spray offers parents hope of never experiencing an infestation of head lice!

This herbal blend uses the best mother nature has to offer to repel head lice when used regularly. Whereas most lice products wait for you to have a lice outbreak, this one gives you a tool to keep lice away with a simple spray every day. Commonly found head lice products use toxic pesticides on the people that are most vulnerable to adverse side effects: children.

Supermom owner Erica Johns used her knowledge of herbs to formulate this unique blend for her own children, and later started selling it to others. Several years later, this product is gaining in it's popularity as people learn how to stay lice-free everyday, the natural way!

The spray has a pleasant peppermint scent and there are no harmful chemicals, colorings, additives, or preservatives.

The Big 16 ounce bottle of spray will last most families a year.

Each bottle comes with complete instructions.

Price: $26.25

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Tea Tree Oil, or the botanical name, Melaleuca Oil, is the best natural solution and it works! But tea tree oil that you can buy in the store varies in quality. I work with a company that has a whole line of soaps, shampoos and even household cleaning products based on the natural cleaning properties of tea tree oil. Please contact me if you would like to go the natural route instead of putting poisons on your daughters head!
Jenny
____@____.com
###-###-####
###-###-####

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.B.

answers from Phoenix on

No need to cut her hair. Lots of good advice out there. Once you get rid of the lice and nits, Check her often and whenever possible braid the hair or pin it up. I also have a mixture of regular shampoo mixed with a little bit of tea tree oil for my daughter to use. This is going to sound gross, but when we used the tea tree mixture. Everything seemed to surface! I was able to pick everything out! Urgh! Patience is all I can say. You are not going to get rid of them in one day! Its time consuming, but picking out the nits works so much better than the small comb.
One other thing. I would definately go with the natural remedies. They are just as effective. Besides who knows whats in the lice kits. Good luck! PS: having lice is common with kids. Don't feel bad anyone can get it no matter how clean you are.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.T.

answers from Phoenix on

We did the regular Nix treatment...we had to do it twice. We also (and this helped a lot) used coconut oil (you can get it at Sprouts) in my daughter's waist-long hair. We coated it on before bedtime and put a plastic shower cap on her head overnight. The nits can't live w/ that oil on them and it made it a lot easier to get them out. Have some patience though and you won't have to cut her hair. Make sure you wash and dry (on high heat) all the bedding, pillows, you can even put all the stuffed animals and such in a big bag and throw them in a deep freeze. After she washes her hair too, for a while dry it w/ a hair dryer and aim that hot air down towards the scalp if she can stand it. Hope this all helps.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Phoenix on

Try washing her hair in vinegar. Google it and I'm sure you'll find something on how to do it. Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I agree w/ everything Alicia (just before me wrote), my son came home w/ lice after a sleepover and ended up giving it to my daughter who has hair almost to her waist. We tried the RID first and didn't have as good of luck w/ it so my sister in law swore by the NIX, you can buy a 2pak at Walgreen's and it comes w/ the comb too. I personally checked my daughter's hair nightly and we ended up having to do 2 separate sessions for her. If her hair is real long like you said you will have to use both of the bottles that come in the NIX 2pk, with the nix, you wash her hair w/ normal shampoo, then the nix is a creme rinse that stays on for at least 10 mins (min), I did leave it on her hair for 15. We did it in the kitchen and over the sink (she was 5 when we experienced it 6 mos ago). I did have to wash the bedding daily, and you can put the stuffed animals in the dryer and dry them on hot for 20 min and then I put them in trash bags out in my garage for 2 weeks. The lice can live for 24 to 48 hours w/out a host, so after washing everything in my house and vacuuming everything I only kept out the bare minimums needed. I ran her hair accessories through the dishwasher and bagged them and put them in the garage as well. It is a real pain to do this stuff daily, but like I said only keep out the bare minimum of what you want to wash daily! You don't have to use bleach on the sheets, the hot wash cycle and dryer will take care of the lice. Any questions you can email me. It took me 3 months to get rid of these things due to "home remedies and everything else under the sun" just follow the directions on the nix (and buy the 2pk, you WILL need both bottles for your daughters hair), check it nightly, and use a paper towel to wipe the comb out on so you can see that you pulled what you were looking for out. I also used one of those strainers that go over the hole in the kitchen sink so I could make sure I was getting the lice out, it will "catch" all the lice and you can actually see what you got out of her hair. Any questions just ask, if you want my # email me back and I will be happy to assist.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.W.

answers from Phoenix on

When my daughter had lice-( she has had it 2 times), we used
a lice treatment on her- then we poured olive oil on her hair- massasaged it in/ then wrapped her hair in saran wrap- left it in place for at least 8hrs.. after that, we washed it out, and then i found her hair was free of eggs/nits. good luck!
the lice also hate the smell of "peppermint"- you can alao try washing her hair in peppermint shampoo/conditioner.
if anymore questions, please email me at ____@____.com

W.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.V.

answers from Phoenix on

I got lice a couple of times when I was younger and what really worked was getting a jar of mayonnaise and cover your daughter's hair with it and put a shower cap on her head and leave it overnight. You're going to want to put a couple of towels down over her pillow. It kinda leaks a little and it's going to stink in the morning, but it smothers the lice and then you just do what you do after using the lice shampoo, you get her in the shower, rinse her hair, pick through it with the comb, and then go through it with your fingers to make sure you got all the eggs.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.A.

answers from Phoenix on

I recommend that you go to the store and get some lice shampoo.

You will not need to cut her hair but you will have to go through her hair slowly taking out the nits. (black light makes this so much easier to see.... using vinegar when going through dry hair helps to loosen the glue that holds nits in the hair)

You need to make sure that you bag up all the stuffed animals and dolls. (for 2 weeks to a month depending how long it takes you to get rid of all the nits)

You can also get a spray to use on the carpet and the bed.

Wash bedding in HOT water.

You will need to keep an eye on the other two kids for signs of itching...

I have had to deal with this issue so many times.....

Another thing that helps is to coat her hair in mayonnaise for 30 mins.... it suffocates any live lice.

Last result would mean having to cut hair or even dying the hair....

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.G.

answers from Phoenix on

no need to cut hair. You go to walgreen's or the grocery store and buy the lice shampoo and put your daughter in the bathtub or outside or somewhere easy to clean and just do it. Then, pick out the nits and do it again. Make sure you wash all her bedding, clothes, wipe down chairs... gotta check her hair daily and reshampoo if neccessary. It is also good to have a magnifying glass in your other hand while you are combing thru with the comb (special comb comes in the box of shampoo). Most importantly, don't make her feel bad, play some music, sing songs, whatever. Let her know it is not her fault and these things happen. You will be exhusted when you are done so be swift as to not getting the other kids to get it. Good luck.
when My daughter got it at camp a service came in a treated her hair and then 3 days later then retreat if needed. so the 3 day rule sounds good (that is how long the eaggs take to hatch). Very important that you get all the eggs.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.D.

answers from Phoenix on

RID, i think is the name of the lice treatment we used when we were little kids.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.G.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi, C..

Here'w what works: "NIX" from the drug store. I tried all kinds of natural treatments such as listerine, natural oils, etc....NIX is the only thing that worked. It was recommended by my doctor also. God Bless! K. G

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.T.

answers from Phoenix on

I have a friend that used mayo on her daughter and she combed it out. I also had a friend that used "grease" and then blow dryed her hair til it became warm then she combed it out, then of course washed the hair out when she was done. If I were to try I would do the blow drying because the heat helps the nits release. It's time consuming but I think worth it in the end. Hope it helps.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.W.

answers from Phoenix on

my daughters got lice a few times and the maine reason it came back is because i didnt clean out house correctly like washing sheets and all and also not making sure the eggs are all gone rid is ok for killing the lice themselves but the eggs are the hard part. they (rid)sell this egg removal shampoo as well thats stuff kills the eggs but also help them to comb out. i did those two but one more thing is i bought the pet shampoo i think it is the harts? that is medicated to remove lice in pets and other nasty bugs it was really safe and it seemed as if the eggs fell out themselves they both had hair past there butt so the one time i used these three products i havent seen no signs since and this was at least 7 years ago..

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.Y.

answers from Tucson on

We just went through this. My daughter had lice but I treated the whole family. Our doctor told us to use Rid which we bought at Walgreens. Then a few days later some of the eggs must have hatched so I put mayo all over our heads and covered it with a plastic bag for a 1/2 hour. I wash the sheets and towels often. I also used a tea tree shampoo that we got at Target and then used the blow dryer for a few days. I found a couple lice with the blow dryer and just pulled them off. It took about 4-5 days to feel like they were gone for good. Hope that helps.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.W.

answers from Santa Fe on

I have heard mayo in a shower cap suffocates them.

There are special soaps...and stuff you can use on furniture.

You need to wash clothes and bedding in hot...or special soap.

I would call a pharmacist.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from New York on

Best thing my wife and I found were PeppermintLogic Treatment Shampoo along with LemonLogic Prevenatative Conditioner and Preventative Spray. Get it at licelogic.com. We had a bad lice infestation about 8 months ago and called Licelogic and they came and treated us at home. Very professional and much less the cost than their competitors. I bought all the products and we have been lice free since then, even though my two kids classes continue to have lice issues.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions