If you see a kid scratching his or her head a lot, you might worry that they have a lice infestation. It’s a common problem among children because they come into close contact at school and on the playground.
Lice aren’t really dangerous, but it’s certainly unpleasant to have the tiny bloodsuckers crawling around in your hair. Itchy and embarrassing, too. In any case, it’s a good idea to nip a lice infestation in the bud: the little devils can multiply very quickly. Removing lice is not a process anyone looks forward to. Lice combs cause a lot of discomfort. There are special shampoos, but they contain foul smelling chemicals and getting the job done can take more than one bottle; that can get expensive. It takes time and if you’re trying to de-louse an antsy, squirmy child, it can seem like mission impossible.
There is another method of lice removal that doesn’t involve harsh and expensive chemical shampoos. If one of your kids gets lice, you might find that it’s the least difficult way to deal with it. You’ll need: a lice comb, mouthwash, white wine vinegar, a shower cap (or conceivably a plastic bag), and a towel.
Start by wetting the hair with the mouthwash, cover it with the shower cap, and then let it sit for an hour. Sounds crazy, right? But for whatever reason, lice really don’t like the smell of mouthwash. Next rinse the hair thoroughly and this time wet it with the white wine vinegar. Again, cover the hair and let it sit for an hour; this step helps with getting rid of the eggs. Finally, wash the hair with a regular shampoo and give it a going over with the lice comb. If you’re doing this for your kid, you might also spray their hair with a little mouthwash before they go to school: they’ll smell minty fresh and they’ll also repel lice.
What do you think of this alternative way of getting rid of lice? Let us know in the Facebook comments and be sure to like and share!