Mayonnaise – the head lice cure!

Does your child keep scratching his head? Check the nape of his neck and behind his ears – it could be head lice. There are many different ways to get rid of this problem. These vary from “lotion” type treatments to the quite unexpected: mayonnaise!

Dealing with an infestation of head lice generally involves using shampoos, gels, creams and other anti-head lice lotions. In most cases, the treatments available are effective, although there has been some development of resistance in recent years. Before deciding what to use, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

What if you don’t want to use chemical products? Of course, you can try the “fine-toothed nit-comb on wet hair” technique. This is very effective at getting rid of head lice and their eggs. But it is a bit of a chore: this meticulous operation has to be carried out for at least 30 minutes a day and getting rid of these annoying pests can take as much as 2 weeks!

So, if you’re looking for a radical but gentle solution … try shampooing your child’s hair with mayonnaise! But don’t rinse it off straight away, leave it on. Put a shower cap on their head and leave it on overnight. The next day, rinse their hair in white vinegar and water to remove it completely. The head lice should have disappeared. If your child finds the idea of mayonnaise unacceptable – which is quite understandable – instead apply vaseline or olive oil. But unlike the “mayonnaise option”, you will have to repeat this over several evenings.

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