Head Lice

jlr820 · Apr 11, 2010

First, I know exactly what you are feeling. I was recently involved in a code situation involving a nursing home resident (I'm an ED nurse, and this patient came in by EMS). Following the code, we were informed that she was infected with head lice. Now, it was doubtful that anybody was actually exposed, but the instant I heard it my head just started itching...couldn't help it. On the way home, I stopped off and got some Rid. I probably didn't need to treat myself, but I did just in case. Now, I have to ask a question....Just what in the world is mayonnaise supposed to do for lice? Do lice not like the taste of Miracle Whip? Very discerning about their condiments, the little vermin! Did I, like, miss a lecture in nursing school somewhere or is this one of those "old timey" folk rememdies that this family buys into? "A lice infestation just isn't a lice infestation without the tangy zip of Miracle Whip." LMAO

fiveofpeep · Apr 11, 2010

had a patient for the last four days with lice that was already treated and my head still itches. I betcha its just psychosomatic

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2010

Opening this thread makes my head itch...ew!

clemmm78, RN · Apr 11, 2010

Now, I have to ask a question....Just what in the world is mayonnaise supposed to do for lice? Do lice not like the taste of Miracle Whip? Very discerning about their condiments, the little vermin! Did I, like, miss a lecture in nursing school somewhere or is this one of those "old timey" folk rememdies that this family buys into? "A lice infestation just isn't a lice infestation without the tangy zip of Miracle Whip." LMAO

Usually it's Crisco or something like that that people use. The idea behind the mayo and similar substances is the product covers the critters and seals off their breathing ability. What many people do is cover with Crisco or whatever and then wrap their head with plastic wrap.

Having dealt with lice, I can see how it could be helpful but you'd still need to be very meticulous picking out all the nits.

Geez, I just read the thread on scabies and now lice - and I'm itching everywhere!!!

roser13, ASN, RN · Apr 11, 2010

I'm very surprised that your facility would allow the LOL to go untreated (assuming that mayo is not a recognized treatment:D). Seems as if they'd be opening themselves up to a facility-wide outbreak.

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Apr 11, 2010

I have seen Mayo used in my hospital for head lice. We get the great big jars from the kitchen and it seems to work!

greenbeanio · Apr 11, 2010

Okay, I don't have the time right now to provide links to all the "proof", but I do have to say this:

All those "approved treatments" are a) toxic and b) ineffective.

Malathion and lindane are extremely neurotoxic - believe me, you do NOT want them being absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin. And anyway, a large percentage of head lice are now resistant to malathion.

Permethrin and pyrethrin are also toxic but much less so, but most head lice are resistant to them so they are as good as useless.

So why do people persist in putting toxic pesticides on their skin (and thereby into their bodies) when the bugs have become resistant to them? Probably because we tend to thing a "powerful chemical" will be more effective than any home remedy or low-tech, non-pharmaceutical method.

What has been found to be way more effective is combing with conditioner or combing with dimethicone, which dries out the bugs as well as the eggs.

The most effective combs (as far as I know) are the LiceMeister comb and the Nit-Free Terminator Lice Comb. They are metal nit combs - the plastic ones are useless. Detangle hair before starting with these combs. http://www.headlice.org/licemeister/index.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Terminator-Professional-Stainless-Treatment-Removes/dp/B000HIBPV8

Dimethicone is available in drug stores as LiceMD. http://www.licemd.com/licemd/how-licemd-works.asp They have a quick little video on this site too. But their comb is plastic, so use one of the good metal ones instead.

I have also heard that Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser which is also easily available in drug stores, works well in combination with a good nit comb. Here's how to use it: http://www.nuvoforheadlice.com/method_explained.htm (scroll down)

Also, the treatment has to be repeated every week for three weeks.

Hope this helps!

Anne36, LPN · Apr 11, 2010

I hate to tell you but the only way to ever get rid of lice regardless of treatment type, is to have someone section the hair and meticulously go thru strand by strand in very good light,(pure daylight is best) even then, with a flashlight to pick out all the nits.

It is very time consuming, to go thru the whole head take at least a couple hours. The bad part is that this needs to be done every day for at least a week or until you cant find anymore nits. Then you still need to go thru the head a few days a week for a month. If you have 1 egg left the whole cycle will start all over again.

If you dont have someone who works at your facility who can spend the hours each day taking care of this Ladys hair, then a family member is going to have to do it.

I cant stress enough about having the proper light to do this. You will miss the nits in most indoor light.

Anne36, LPN · Apr 11, 2010

The metal combs are only a tool that is helpfull in sectioning and going thru the hair, they are not necessarily going to pull the eggs off the hair strand. You cant count on combing them out with that, because they stick to the hair shaft like glue. Usually the eggs need to be pulled off the hair manually.

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · Apr 11, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/fashion/11LICE.html?src=mv

Guess we all should go into Lice Removal.

WarmBlanket · Apr 11, 2010

thank you allnurses ! i have finally learned that miracle whip does have a purpose.

a mysterious food product by day, a medicinal agent at night.

i shall never make fun of it again

a miracle indeed : )