With knowledge, prevention and early treatment, parents can help reduce the spread of head lice in the community. Learn how to identify and treat head lice in your children.
Head lice (pediculosis) have nothing to do with lack of cleanliness – anyone can get head lice. They are a nuisance, but they do not cause illness. Head lice are not a public health problem because they do not transmit disease.
Note: Diagnosis of head lice requires the presence of a living louse. A head lice product should only be used if live lice are found in the hair (Canadian Paediatric Society, March 2022).
All products, whether they are natural or not, have risks associated with them. Some alternative treatments claim to be safer and more effective than traditional treatments for head lice, but some natural products can be toxic if used at full strength.
Other methods, such as wet combing, or applying mayonnaise, oil, vinegar to the hair, etc., might not have risks associated with them, but there is no scientific evidence that they are effective (Canadian Pediatric Society, March 2022).