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Grandmother Is Desperate for Effective Lice Treatments to Overcome Persistent Infestation

Q. My grandchildren started scratching their heads several weeks ago. Upon careful examination, we discovered they had lice.

Their parents have been diligent in using lice shampoo, combing out nits and washing the bedding, to no avail. Are there any more effective strategies besides over-the-counter lice shampoos? My daughter is desperate.

A. Lice in the U.S. have developed some degree of resistance to insecticides such as permethrin or pyrethrin found in many OTC lice shampoos. Relatively new prescription treatments are effective but pricey. They include Ulesfia (benzyl alcohol), Sklice (ivermectin) and Natroba (spinosad). A treatment can run from $250 to $300.

Many visitors to our website report success with alternative approaches. Some drench the hair in old-fashioned amber Listerine for half an hour or so (wrapping the hair in a towel). The dead lice and nits are combed out.

Another option is Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. One reader shared her technique: “We put Cetaphil in dry hair, comb the excess out and then blow-dry the hair. We leave it in for at least 24 hours and then shampoo it out. We also comb to check for nits, and do a follow-up treatment 7 days later to catch any bugs that hatched from eggs.”

There are a few other home remedies to help families get rid of persistent infestations in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.  Look for it in your library if you like, and tell us what treatments have worked for your family in the comment section below.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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