Nasty lice are a common disorder in school-age kids. All it takes is a little oversight for these animals to spread to all the students in a class.
However, it is a problem that has simple solutions that can be prepared at home. However, you can also buy some anti-lice shampoos and have them on hand. But if this is not possible for whatever reason, there is always the possibility of using Listerine.
Just soaking your hair in Listerine for about 20 to 30 minutes will be enough to eliminate the lice.
What is Listerine?
Listerine is one of the oldest and most recognized mouthwashes in the world. In most countries, its formula has been used by millions of people worldwide. Thanks to its low price, there is one in every house.
Does Listerine Kill Lice?
Contents
The most important Listerine component is isopropyl alcohol, mixed with a selection of herbal oil extracts eucalyptol, thymol, menthol, and methyl salicylate. These components suffocate the adult lice and nits that with the usual combing should fall.
It is important to note that a single application is not enough and that, of course, you need time to act. Listerine is a product designed for a different function. Although it contains similar compounds, such as thymol, its formula is not designed for that purpose.
It is recommended that if you want lice using Listerine, you try not to do it in closed spaces, do not exceed 30 minutes of exposure, and do not use it for very long times or in children under twelve years of age.
Any Risks of Listerine For Lice?
The short answer is yes. Keep in mind that it must have passed a series of tests and approved by the FDA for a product to be safe. In Listerine’s case, their tests have been directed to determine if it is safe as a mouthwash, not a treatment for lice.
Although experience says that it works, it is unknown exactly how safe it can be applied to the scalp. We know that this tissue is quite sensitive and that it can easily absorb the compounds directly into the capillaries and from there into the bloodstream. That is why it should be treated with great care and, if possible, not administered in children under twelve years of age. Alcohol can be absorbed both through the scalp and through breathing due to the vapors it emits.
Other Home Remedies to Prevent Lice
The use of the lice comb is the quintessential remedy. You can use it only by wetting your hair and parting it into small pieces so that you can cover a larger area. This technique is the most recommended by pediatricians since it does not need products or additives. However, it can be used after the application of a product.
What makes this technique the most effective is that it removes both the adult lice and the egg sacs hidden in the hair.
The use of essential oils such as olive, anise, and coconut can be very effective remedies to support the comb’s use. Its strong aroma stuns and numbs lice and nits, making them easier to catch.
The risk of using these products is practically nil. There is no way that essential oils can harm a child’s health, in addition to being very easy to wash and help to moisturize the scalp.
