Head lice might be every parent's worst nightmare--they are invasive, itchy, hard to get of and sometimes embarrassing. They are not, however, life-threatening and can be eradicated with due diligence. There are approximately 12 to 25 million lice cases each year, with most of them occurring in children under 12, according to HeadLiceInfo.com. Some parents might wish to get rid of the lice with a natural remedy, such as mayonnaise.
Process
Mayonnaise kills lice by smothering them. Treat by covering the hair with a large amount of mayonnaise and leaving it on for at least 12 hours. The most convenient way to do this is by applying it in the evening and covering the hair with a shower cap. Wash it out in the shower the next morning.
Risks
Using mayonnaise to treat lice is not dangerous in any way; however, there is no guarantee it will be 100 percent effective. Additionally, mayonnaise is difficult to get out of the hair. If it is not completely removed, it can turn rancid. This is particularly problematic if children suck on their hair.
Benefits
People typically turn to mayonnaise as a treatment for lice if the person being treated has had a bad reaction to medicated shampoos. Parents might also want to reduce the exposure to potential toxins for children who have been treated more than once with chemical shampoos for head lice.
Alternatives
In addition to mayonnaise, non-toxic smothering agents include butter, petroleum jelly and olive oil. The latter has been tested in a lab and proven to be the best smothering agent. It has very few allergenic properties and is not expensive. Choose the least expensive grade of olive oil, sometimes called pumace or restaurant grade, as it is the most effective.
Follow-up
Smothering lice with mayonnaise does not mean the problem has been solved. Following the treatment, you must pick through the hair thoroughly to remove the lice and nits to prevent anything remaining from reproducing. "Nit-pick" by placing the person infested under good light. Divide the hair into 1-inch sections and comb through the hair from roots to end with a fine-toothed comb. After you have combed, go through each section again and pick out any remaining lice or nits with your fingernails or small scissors. Do this every day for one to two weeks.
After this, you must also clean the house by washing bedding, vacuuming carpets and bagging up all stuffed toys that could hold lice or nits.
