Head Lice Prevention Methods, Those That Work and Those that are a Complete Waste of Time.

Once you have treated yourself or your child with a natural, chemical-free remedy for head lice and you have them beat, there are certain steps you need to take to prevent head lice from ever returning. There are head lice prevention methods that work, and then there are the mandatory myths that do absolutely nothing to prevent head lice and everything to waste your precious time.

Your first line of defence is to wash bedding, clothing and towels in hot water. A spring clean is a good idea, but compulsive vacuuming and pesticide bombing is entirely unnecessary.

Lice simply cannot survive away from the head for more than a few hours before becoming very sick and dehydrated. A louse which finds its way off the head is usually done for. They do not go on the move and only become dislodged by accident. A head louse will never leave the scalp except to migrate to another scalp as this spells certain death for the wee nasty, so it makes no sense for them to leave for any other reason.

The bagging of items such as toys and personal belongings is also a good idea, but there is absolutely no need to do this for weeks at a time. 48 hours is ample as the louse will be a shriveled skeleton without food or more importantly – hydration.

An egg cannot hatch without the warmth of a human scalp so if the hair detaches there is no way they will be able to find its way back to the head. Your time is far better spent on head lice prevention and making sure all eggs and live lice are gone from the head.

Once the lice are safely out of your hair – literally, there are certain steps you can take to ensure you’ve said ‘Sayonara’ for good.

Lice can only live on humans so that is why it is only the lure of another human which will persuade the louse to shift house. If the louse does not believe the host is human however, it will stay safely put. There are several ways to make yourself invisible to a head louse so they have absolutely no inclination to move to you. You have essentially become invisible to them as they don’t think you are human and will move on.

Here are 5 different ways to prevent head lice:

• Mix essential oils in with your shampoo so the strong smell repels the lice and makes you invisible. The most common is Tea Tree Oil. You can either mix 10 drops in with your existing shampoo or buy ready made Tea Tree shampoo at your supermarket.

• Mix 10 drops Tea Tree or other essential oil into a spray bottle with water. Put your child’s hair in a tight plait and mist over before school or playtime.

• Tea Tree oil mixed with gel. If your boy has a modern style, mix Tea Tree in with your gel and the lice will stay well away. Not only does the oil repel the lice, the gel makes it impossible to move around the head or attach their eggs.

• Alternatively for girls, hair spray has the same effect, simulating dirty hair so the lice cannot move around or attach their eggs.

• Mix a few drops of Tea Tree oil in with a leave in conditioner and make sure your child sprays this on every morning or before playtime.

Lice are a major annoyance and can cause great upheaval, but once you have gotten rid of them with a natural remedy, with head lice prevention really is the best cure.