anyone have a foolproof method for keeping headlice away?!

Theresa - posted on 09/20/2009

Australian tea tree oil. Lice hate it! What I did when there was a lice scare at my child's school:
I put some tee tree oil in with her shampoo. A bonus for you since you are in Australia!

Christine - posted on 09/20/2009

The Miracle All-Natural Lice Treatment (From the book: Clean It! Fix It! Eat It!)



Medicated lice shampoos are often ineffective and may cause brain damage in children if left in their hair even ten minutes longer than the manufacturer's recommended time. Mayonnaise costs much less, is completely safe, and will kill all lice on the head as well as their nits (eggs). The oils in the mayonnaise do the trick. Plus, mayonnaise is a great hair conditioner. To kill the head lice completely, follow these simple instructions:



Step 1 ~ Saturate hair completely with Hellman's Real Mayonnaise, Best Real Mayonnaise, or Kraft Real Mayonnaise. Be sure to work the mayonnaise in the hair and roots well. Hair must be extremely greasy with mayonnaise to drown the lice.



Step 2 ~ Wrap hair as tightly as possible with Saran Wrap or Handi-Wrap (or a shower cap), then wrap with a towel.



Step 3 ~ Allow to remain on head for two hours. During this time, take all pillow cases, towels, blankets, sheets and clothes that have come into contact with any lice-infested hair and run them through the washing machine and dryer.



Step 4 ~ Shampoo hair thoroughly. Rinse hair with Heinz White Vinegar, then rinse clean with water. Comb hair with a nit comb. No nits should survive this treatment if done properly. Congratulations! You're done! There's no need to repeat the treatment in seven days as with medicated shampoos (although it can't hurt).



Prevent head lice with:



1) Alberto VO5 Hair Spray ~ "To stop head lice from even getting into your hair or your children's hair, spray a light coat of hair spray on hair before leaving the house. The lice won't even attempt to jump into the smell of the hair spray."

- Kristen C., Pana, Illinois



2) Heinz Vinegar: "When my children were little and there was an outbreak of lice at school, I rinsed their hair with Heinz White Vinegar after shampooing and they never got lice. My grandmother used to do this, too."

- Sue N., Detroit, Michigan



3) Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo: "Tea Tree Oil repels head lice naturally, as does shampooing regularly with Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo."

- Tammy R., Wahiawa, Hawaii



I hope that this helps...Please let me know if it works out for you. I know that The Miracle All-Natural Lice Treatment works for sure. My stepdaughter with long, curly hair got head lice quite a bit when she was younger (I dealt with it when she was a teenager after I married her Dad) and this treatment did the trick! Be sure to either wash stuffed animals if you can or put them in plastic bags with no air to suffocate the lice. Wash in hot water too! Also, throw away all hair bows and hair accessories (if you can, wash them in hot water or soak them in very, hot water). Good Luck!

Dana - posted on 09/20/2009

One of the best ways to reduce your chances of getting lice is to keep the hair put up and to encourage you child to not share hair items such as brushes and to not put their heads all over their friends heads.

Jennifer - posted on 09/20/2009

Use Paul Mitchell Tea tree products....lice are repelled by the tea tree oil......also a product named 'Boo' By Koozy.....all natural child based product to 'scare' the lice away. They also have a leave in spray to help repel lice you would use daily. I'm a hairedresser for 16 years & have come across A LOT of lice over the years & this is what I recommend for my clients....& what i use on my daughter Trinity...Good Luck

Christine - posted on 09/20/2009

A little mom to mom reassurance, Lice likes clean heads so please don't think you are doing anything wrong. I am from the US and I have found that if I use Suave Coconut shampoo and conditioner on my daughters hair it does help. and always remind the kids not to share brushes, combs, and hats.

Emily - posted on 09/20/2009

If you have a organic store or some where that sells pure oils...try to find some tea tree oil or shampoo...this WILL keep them away....you will need to make sure ALL of the nits (eggs) are gone. If you find the oil you will want to put about six drops throughout the hair..if you find shampoo you will want to wash with it for aleast a week, then you can move to twice a week to help keep them off. The best comb for head lice is a cat flea comb (no kidding) if you comb through the hair dry you will get alot more if the hair is wet. Good Luck!!!

Fiona - posted on 09/20/2009

there is no full proof to keep lice away unless u shave the hair but u dnt want tht ,tea tree oil every day n keep hair tied up my two girls have such long hair n im always on the look out i go through there hair every bath time just to make sure because they play with loads of kids well good luck to u i hate the things n pray they dnt catch them ..

Kerrie - posted on 09/19/2009

If you have boys, keep their hair SHORT!!! The lice won't stick around if the hair shaft is too short to attach the nits to. If you have girls, keep their hair up! Ponytails or buns. The cleaner the child's hair is the easier it will be to keep getting reinfested! Believe it or not, they don't like dirty hair!! The oils in the hair make it hard for the lice to lay their eggs on...

Julie - posted on 09/19/2009

Shampoos made with tea tree oil are helpful. You can get at natural food stores. Also, as soon as your kids come home from school, just throw all the jackets, backpacks, etc in the dryer on high for 15 min, that will be enough time to kill any lurking buggers. Washing your linens and such in tea tree oil helps as well. Apparently lice don't like the smell of it. We had a problem with our daughter getting it a few years ago. It's humiliating and so hard to get rid of. I cried a lot...Good Luck!

Bonnie - posted on 09/19/2009

i found facts that ppl might like to know ! im doing childcare and they are every where in childcare and schools but

1. They do not jump, they get them from head to head contact with others ! have u ever seen a nit jump like a flea ... ?



2.it doesnt matter what hair type u have or clean or dirty ! but i belive they stay ayay from my dyed hair ! they can not live in hats as they die4 because they have nothing to feed off !



i had them for many yrs when in school in yr 4 i said to my mum and nan ( after always being threatend) to shave my hair ! i did it was the best thing ever never had to brush or comb nits ever again i was just so fed up with getting them and my mum was alwayts on top of them and that begun to hurt as she is not gentle ! neither would u if u had been combing hair and spent $$$ over many yrs !



IM now 21 and i was 10 i think ive had them twice ! from kids ! but i dont mind if i find one or two ! wich is rarley ! twice in ten years i will dye my hair and that kills them st8 away !

Kerry - posted on 09/19/2009

ur gonna laugh and the kids will stink but it worked with mine apple cidar vinegar and mayonaise soak there hair with the vinegar the smear in mayo wrap their heads with plastic wrap and keep it that way for 30 mins mine kept bringing it home from achool and my daughter has a lions mane of hair so u can imagine going thru that. its even a cheap remedy. i tried all the chemical things at the drug store but it was the mayo that kept them away

Lisa - posted on 09/18/2009

Hi I live in Aus to and hated it when I got lice from school so I ask my friend who is a hairdressers and she told me to use leave-in conditioner every day and they can't hang on to the hair. Good luck

Kelly - posted on 09/18/2009

tea tree oil! go crazy with it. put in shampoo and use it regularly

Mandy - posted on 09/18/2009

When I was in beauty college our instructors told us the only way to get rid of headlice for good or to keep your kids from getting it was to color their hair! Something with the chemicals that stay in the hair after coloring it, kept them away for good! I colored my son's hair in kindergarten and so far he hasn't gotten it! He's in 2nd grade now!

Amy - posted on 09/18/2009

I use a comb, 'think it's called no more nits' with lots of conditioner, leave conditioner on a while then comb through. works well and no chemicals. Good as my son has eczema so need to use things that are mild. hope that helps!

Tanja - posted on 09/18/2009

i found that Tea Tree oil a small amount in the shampoo and conditioner and used everyday that it will work. My sister was going through the same thing and she did this and no more headlice. But you need to do the headlice treatment first and everything else.

CARRIE - posted on 09/18/2009

MY BEST FRIEND IS A NURSE AND HAS USED MAYO AND ALWAYS HEAT ON THE HAIR , USE HAIRDRYER EVERYDAY!

Susan - posted on 09/18/2009

I don't know what will keep them away, but if your worried about the head lice medicine try using mayonnaise. Comb it into the hair, put on a shower cap and leave it in for 12 hours. It smothers the nits. Makes the hair nice and shiny too.

Also, if your car has cloth seats don't forget to either vacuum or use the spray on stuff. I didn't and we had to have the treatment all over again. Not fun!

Jennifer - posted on 09/18/2009

1. The easiest most effective way to get rid of lice: Soak head in listerine, showercap and leave on for 2 hours. Rinse. Repeat in 10 days. Do laundry and clean hair things but I have found you don't even have to nit comb with this. We fought head lice for months with every product, combing, bagging, mayo, oils, etc and this got rid of them for good.

2. Prevention: Get a leave in conditioner with tea tree oil in it. Use a small amount. Put hair up and hairspray it. Lice want nothing to do with hair that has product in it. Blowdrying also helps. We had lice on and off for 2 years. We would battle it forever, finally get rid of them and they would pick them up again. We have been lice free for 6 months now with zero reoccurance.

KARIEN - posted on 09/18/2009

It is going to sound very stupid. But believe me it works. You must buy Frontline spray for dogs at the vet. Pray is on the childs hair and work it in. Put a plastic bag over the childs head covering all the hair tie the bag and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash and comb hair while in the bath. This really works

Andrea - posted on 09/18/2009

I tried all the over the counter lice stuff.......................doesn't work, here is my remedy it is called 100% tee tree oil, you can buy it in most stores, very small bottles put enough on their head to get all the hair, don't leave it on for any longer than 20 min, (and don't be alarmed by the smell it is terrible) then put about half of bottle into a bottle of cheap shampoo and have them shampoo their hair 2x a week with it, I never had to do it more than once to kill everything, and I didn't even find that many nits, and it didn't come back. When you first put it on don't mix it with shampoo just put it on straight out of the bottle. It is only about 5-10$ a bottle, buy 2 (depending on how many kids you have and how much hair they have. Good luck!!

Patricia - posted on 09/18/2009

I don't know about keeping them away, but I know that to get rid of them use a hair dryer. Same concept as using the dryer and hot water on their belongings. It kills them.

Kelly - posted on 09/18/2009

hi im in tasmania aust. and they r thriving in our schools at the moment, i use a water bottle with a few drops each of lavender and tea tree oil and a couple of drops of conditioner. this is a cheap and great detangler and nit deterant at the same time. been using this for 3 years and no head lice to date. i also keep hair tied back in a pony tail or plait and use hairspray to hold in the stray hairs. hope this helps tc

Tess - posted on 09/18/2009

Testree oil, put it in their shampoo

Wendy - posted on 09/18/2009

as some of the other ladies have said...I use Tea Tree oil in a water spray and spray it on my daughters hair every morning. None of my 3 have had lice since we started doing this. Also if you do get lice you need to do something about special blankets/teddy's that they sleep with. You can either put them in the dryer on high heat for 10 mins or the freezer in a plastic bag over night.

Mattresses just need to be vaccumed as do carseats couches etc.



I hope your lice free very soon!!

Vivienne - posted on 09/17/2009

since using teatree and lavender in a water spray bottle on my daughters hair we have been nit free for 1 1/2 yrs

Cheri - posted on 09/17/2009

aside from teaching your wee ones not to share hats, brushes, etc... you can use shampoo with Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (not sure if you have these products availiable but head and shoulders or tropical coconut by suave both have this ingredient) with every hair wash to keep the little buggies away. If your child should have lice, I would suggest calling your doctor if you have an infestation for a perscription for Permethrin 5% cream. It's generally used to treat scabies but is amazinging effective in killing lice as well as eggs. One application to the hair/scalp for 10 minutes then wash and remove nits. Although nits are no longer viable, they must be removed and they're MUCH easier to remove. This cream tends to dry the sticky substance that cements the little guys to the hair. For a more natural approach, you can use a cholesterol cream (i believe it's from Queen Helen... if not, look for any cholesterol hair cream with Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate )... slather it on the hair to the scalp, behind the ears, and the neckline, cover head with a shower cap, let soak in for an hour then wash out and go through the hair with a lice comb. It makes it easier to remove nits but I don't believe it kills the bugs at all so use an OTC treatment first. Trust me... I'm a nurse! LOL Hope this helps!

Donna - posted on 09/17/2009

i used mousse in my daughters hair and always kept it up. those things are the hardest to get rid of!!!good luck i know its terrible to deal with but just know its not you,its coming from somebody else!

Debora - posted on 09/17/2009

there`s a product called fairytales just go to www.fairytales .com ,i am told it works great.

Marivel - posted on 09/17/2009

a company called Circle of Friends carries a whole haircare system (shampoo, leave-in conditioner, gel, etc.) that deter lice.

Tami - posted on 09/17/2009

A Therapist that works in the school district with children of all ages, told me that if you wash your hair with peppermint once a month it keeps lice away. I don't know if she meant peppermint extract or what but it's worth a try. My son got it once from a kid at school. The kids parents shaved his head! I washed my son's hair with Nix and picked every little lice and nit in his head for two-three days three times a day. I washed his head everyday for three days with Nix treatment. Now, I know that might not have been the safest thing to do because it is a pesticide, but I had to make sure he was lice free. I sprayed the carpet, matresses, couches, car interior, everything everyday for four days. I washed our bed linens everyday for a week! I washed my son's head again with the Nix treatment once a week for 2 weeks. Then picked through every stran of hair my other two children have. Luckly the other two kids didn't have lice! Here in the states, or at least in Texas, when a kid has lice the child is not allowed back in school until they have been treated and are lice free, and the school nurses check! I hear lice doesn't like dry heat and hair products. I don't know how true that is but I use a little gel in my kids hair praying it keeps lice away. I went over board when I found out my son had lice and had anxiety over it. I hope it never happens again!

Karen - posted on 09/17/2009

I live in england and my children had this problem all the time i tried everythin to no avail. When my grandchildren started to have the same problem we could have screamed, but the dotor prescibed a new method by way of a nitty gritty comb, i treated them with the head lice shampoo then used the comb, it was great, after first time use the comb three times a week then after a couple of weeks use it every week after hair wash and conditioning, you should be able to buy one off the internet cost around ten pounds but worth every penny good luck/

Vicki - posted on 09/17/2009

hi im from the uk and its also an epedemic over here, i have tried every thing on my girls and as soon as i get rid of them there back and i have tried all sorts.tea tree is the best one get some pure tea tree oil add a few drops to water and squirt it on their hair every day it helps x x

Jennifer - posted on 09/17/2009

my mom told me to use vinegar for my kids.. she says the buggers don't like the smell of it and they will stay away

Emma - posted on 09/17/2009

i spray my daughters hair with hairspray every day before school and so far it has worked for me.hope it does for you all to .

Jennifer - posted on 09/17/2009

I have had great success with Tea Tree Oil also, but I actually put it straight into my children's shampoo. It doesn't take much, but be sure to mix it up good! And replace things like hairbrushes, combs, hairbows, etc. They are inexpensive to replace. My doctor also told me to throw bed linnens in a hot wash with some sort of bleach, regular bleach if you have white, non chlorine for colors. It will help kill them. And lastly, be sure to spray the mattress!!! Those nasty little bugs can make their way straight to the mattress. Just mix a few tablespoons of bleach and water in a spray bottle and spray it straight on the mattress. Good luck!!!!

Jenn - posted on 09/17/2009

My girls shower every morning and I blow dry their hair. I was told that lice can't hold on to the hair. Also I keep their hair up in a braid or pony (bun is better) and hairspray their hair really good. Our school always has lice going around, but my kids have NEVER had it.

Tisha - posted on 09/17/2009

When My daughter started Kindergarden we had the worst time with head lice. After each treatment it would be like 3 or 4 weeks and she would come home with it again. I started braiding her hair everyday and putting lots of hair spray on her head because the lice don't like the sticky dirty feel of the spray. It worked. We have now changed schools and no problem there yet! Good luck!!

Amanda - posted on 09/17/2009

i also live in Aus... I suggest tea tree oil it may smell but it seems to keep the buggers of my little fella

Starr - posted on 09/17/2009

awww honey my heart goes out to you! Been there a few times & it is not fun!!!!!!!! Make sure that you get all the nits out of their hair (can take hours to do this) also are you bagging up their stuffed animals or any toys with hair? (keep them put away for at least 30 days. You will also need to vacuum down all your furniture too. Praying that things get better for you!!

Katja - posted on 09/17/2009

actually..lice like clean hair...but after the treatment is completed and you've washed all the sheets etc. don't forget to also wash the hair brushes,combs in hot soapy water as well...and tell the kids not to use anybody elses hair utensils

Bobbi - posted on 09/17/2009

my sister was told to use any shampoo with cocnut in it they hate it. hope it works

Mandy - posted on 09/17/2009

my hairdresser told me to use lavender oil or tea tree oil. you can get it at most organic stores and all you need to do is put a couple drops in your shampoo.they dont like the smell of it or something. i have been doing this for years and we have been lice free for two years. hope this helps

Jacquie - posted on 09/17/2009

I have Tea Tree oil that I rub on my hands every morning and put through my kids hair....they say it is pretty full proof Lice hate whatever is in this stuff!

good Luck :-)

Clare - posted on 09/17/2009

Hi there I am also in Aus and last year we were inundated with the little buggers! We started using lavender oil in our shampoo and conditioner every wash - I just added it to the bottle. You will still need to do the whole headlice shampoo and bedclothes thing but we found it really worked - apparently they dont like the scent or something. I have also heard hairspray works.

Bonnie - posted on 09/17/2009

no sorry i also live in aus .... not being rude but yet funny ! no ..... i dont know sorry but when u find one let me know .... i could make millions ! lol good luck they are a pest hey !