How to Rid Your Family of Lice

Yes this is a nasty topic, but, one that needs to be addressed. Much like driving a car, you can't control the other 100 people out there to keep from getting hit with this.

Contrary to popular belief, lice like anyone. They don't care if you bleach your home inside and out or if you live like a hog in a swamp. They want to reside on anyone that has blood flowing through their veins. They can't survive more than 24 hours without human blood. A lice bug will travel off one person and find a new home on anyone, they aren't picky.

So what do you do when your darling daughter comes home from school with new friends attached to the root of her hair? It's pretty simple; first of all you don't panic. Do not go around the house throwing everything you see in the garbage, that isn't going to help. You can get rid of this nasty problem yourself but it will take some time. I suggest 3 consecutive days. I know that this seems like a great long time but it is necessary.

First place you need to start is with getting something on everyone's heads that isn't going to hurt them and take care of those little nasty creatures. I do not advise using the over-the-counter medicines. First off, they don't work. Second, they can make humans very ill. Killing the live ones isn't difficult. Smothering them is one of the fastest and easiest ways to deal with them. You don't need a degree in science or medicine to do this. Grab a bottle of conditioner and just coat everyone's hair entirely. Leave this in for, well over night if possible; the longer the better. It takes 8 straight hours to smother them. Some people use olive oil, Vaseline, mayonnaise. I don't' suggest those because they are very difficult to get out and the mayo thing is a big no no in my book. Anything that touches your skin gets absorbed into the body and flows through your blood stream. Leaving mayo (which has raw eggs in it) out of the fridge for any length of time turns it into poison.

Now while that sits on everyone's heads start washing the laundry. Take everyone's bedding down first and put it into wash. If you do it on the hottest possible setting it is better. Also try to dry each load twice. A little over excess won't hurt anything.

Then it's time to vacuum. Vacuum the beds, the carpets and even the interior of the vehicles.

This really is a time consuming thing and I really wish there were other ways around this, but there isn't.

Ok, so now you have everything vacuumed and the laundry all done, conditioner still in everyone's hair.

Go to bed.

In the morning the person who makes the most money in the house wins the trip to the shower first. This is the person who keeps the house going so they do get top priority. After they shower and get out the conditioner it is time to pick. Get the best light in the house to see the eggs with. If you own a magnifying glass get it out, it will help. Also, a metal nit comb is great, but, if you do not have one just a regular comb will do; section off the hair. Tie each part up with rubber bands or whatever you can find, just keep it all separate. Now you can start with the very back, nape of the neck section and start pulling those little eggs off of every strand. When you get through with one section use your magnifying glass and look it over carefully before moving onto the next. Also, if you have a lamp, shine it on that section to see more clearly, before moving on. Tie each section back up that you have finished before doing another. This keeps everything separate. The picking job is the absolute worst, when doing a child's hair it is almost unbearable. The best way to tackle the job is by putting in one of their favorite movies and letting them watch while you pick. Try not to get irritated with them as the squirm; this is very difficult on them too.

Now it is time to relax for a few. You finished the biggest job and need a pat on the back.

Every other day, for 8 days, check everyone's hair again. Even one missed nit can cause the whole cycle to start over again. So make sure to take your time now and do it or you will have this mess going on constantly in your life. I also advise on the 7th day to re-apply the conditioner to the hair over night on everyone. If there was one missed that little darling just hatched and will be smothered before creating new friends.

To keep everyone from being infested again a little trick I learned is with peppermint oil. If you put just a couple of drops in the family shampoo bottle it will detour these little critters from wanting to find a home on your family. Peppermint is actually very good for you and your hair so using it will be an added benefit. Another great oil is Neem Seed Oil. It has its own unique smell (meaning not pleasant) but it not only detours them taking up residence on your head but it also will kill them.