Sticky Fingers And Pesky Critters

 The delegate hybrid version of you. With all shapes and sizes, in duos and broods, they're your most pride and joy. Moms and Dads take great solace when they get shipped out and dropped off for morning hours of learning school. A peaceful break from the interludes of Why Not? and How Come?. And just as you thought your life has found a center balance once more, your sticky fingered children trot home after a day filled with glitter sticks and arithmetic with an oh so delectable gift for you! Lice. Those wonderful little creatures that are the catalyst for clothes tossed to the rubbish, bed sheets ripped and stripped and your zen of your home uprooted to disaster zone! 
   
   In a haste of a panic, before you transport yourself to the nearest drugstore, let's talk about the extreme danger of applying pesticides on those delicate little flowers. Children in general have a less mature immune system and are susceptible to absorbing more toxic substances directly through the blood stream when harmful chemicals are applied directly to the skin. Become informed to what prominent recognized authorities are saying. 

" There is absolutely no need to expose children to any pesticide to treat head lice." Marion Moses MD, Designer Poisons

 " Sometimes the medicine is worse than the disease. It is unfortunate that well intentioned parents treating their children with toxic or flammable substances have caused deaths and poisonings." Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health

 " Preparations like Rid and Kwell...are definitely toxic to people." Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, Author of Ask Dr. Weil, Spontaneous Healing and Eight Weeks to Optimum Health

 " Never assume a pesticide is safe. Anything designed to disrupt a living organism-plant or animal-may also prove harmful to humans or other animals in unexpected ways." Theo Colborn, Ph.D., Our Stolen Future

 Here is an in depth description of what you should be aware of about over the counter lice treatments. (All information below was obtained via http://www.s-e-a.net/dangers.html, please click this link for further inactive/active ingredients and other harmful effects.)

 
TWO TYPES OF PESTICIDES IN TODAY'S HEAD LICE PRODUCTS
There are two main pesticides used in most head lice products available today: lindane and pyrethrins.

 LINDANE
For many years, lindane (Kwell), an organochlorine pesticide available only by prescription, was the treatment of choice for head lice. It is still recommended by many medical personnel who have not taken the time to acquaint themselves with its potential health hazards to humans.
Lindane is absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream. Once absorbed, it can be carried throughout the body to the tissue (mainly fat) and organs. In pregnant women, it can travel across the placenta to the developing fetus. Due to its toxicity and lack of effectiveness, it should not be used under any circumstance.

About 9% of each lindane dose is absorbed through the skin. It is 10 times more soluble in brain tissue than in blood. Routine administration to children and geriatric patients has led to neurotoxic disorders. Lindane is highly carcinogenic in rats and mice and can cause aplastic anemia, a precursor or leukemia, and other blood disorders.
In Designer Poisons, Marion Moses, MD says 'Lindane should be banned; it should not be allowed for any use whatsoever". She also talks about other adverse health effects possibly caused by using lindane to treat head lice:
o Children treated with lindane for head lice compared to those who were not were almost five (5) times more likely to have brain cancer.
o Brain and nervous system damage has resulted in deaths in infants and children after lindane application to the skin.
o Lindane can cause irritant reactions, rashes and allergic reactions with the following symptoms: convulsions, seizures, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incoordination, tremors, mental confusion and jerky muscular movements.

In Is This Your Child's World, Doris Rapp MD states that some women who have elevated levels of lindane from lice treatments in their blood have habitual abortions, unexplained infertility, menstrual disorders and premature menopausal symptoms.
The National Pediculosis Association, Inc. (NPA) says that, "Lindane is a nerve poison that also causes cancer...so why are we prescribing it for our children?" Their database has over 500 adverse event reports related to the use of lindane. Even worse, they say it can be unsafe even when used as directed. Children who have been treated repeatedly for head lice may be more at risk of adverse events with additional chemical exposures. Seizures, behavioral changes, attention deficit disorders, cancer, skin disease and even death have been reported to the NPA's registry.
In addition to the NPA, the Consumers Union, the Public Citizens Health Research Group and the Cancer Prevention Coalition have called for a ban on lindane-based shampoos and lotions. Currently it is classified by the US Health Department's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) as a hazardous substance that contaminates at least 144 Superfund sites (places designated by the EPA as the most hazardous of hazardous waste sites). Eighteen foreign countries have banned its use. This should be sufficient evidence to cause one to NEVER, under any circumstance, use a lindane based head lice product.

PYRETHRINS (found in Nix, Rid, Clear, Pronto, End Lice, Eliminite)
Pyrethrum and pyrethrins are pesticides made from flowers (a type of chrysanthemum). Synthetic pyrethroids (permethrins) are chemical imitations of these natural products. Synergists are chemicals added to increase their killing power.
Any pesticide can theoretically cause allergic reactions, although some are more likely than others. Products made from a member in this family of pesticides are likely to precipitate allergic reactions, particularly for people with allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivities. One reason is that they cross-react with ragweed and other plant pollens.
In Designer Poisons, Marion Moses, MD suggests that these types of pesticides attack the brain and nervous system. She further states that they can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and cause skin itching, burning, rashes, stinging, tingling and numbness. Taken internally, signs of poisoning include tremors, salivation (drooling), vomiting, diarrhea and irritability to sound and touch.

 From the parenting tips of Tess Moody a DIY natural remedy blogger like myself, here are some alternate organic ways to treat those pesky little critters and keep your children safe from applying harmful pesticides to their scalp and skin!
 
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise smothers lice. Spread mayonnaise throughout your hair until it is completely covered. Put a plastic bag over your head and gather at the bottom and secure with a rubber band. Leave mayonnaise on head for one hour. Rinse hair and use a lice comb to remove nits.
 
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a great home remedy to get rid of lice. Apply to the hair and scalp. Cover hair with plastic bag for an hour. Wash hair twice and dry. Take a lice comb and comb through hair to get rid of nits. Optional: After intitial treatment, add a couple of drops of tea tree oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray every day
 
Vinegar
Vinegar is another great home remedy for getting rid of head lice. Wash hair daily with straight vinegar for a week-the head lice will be gone by the end of the week!
 
Olive Oil
Olive oil works like mayonnaise in killing lice. Pour olive oil all over hair and scalp and cover for an hour. You can do this before bed and sleep with it on. Wash hair afterwards and comb out nits. You'll find that your hair will even feel extra soft as well.